Forensic Ballistics Review Questions 1
1. In forensic ballistics, what is the term for the raised area between the grooves inside a firearm's barrel?
A. Caliber
B. Land
C. Rifling
D. Smoothbore
Answer: B
2. Which term refers to the internal diameter of a firearm's barrel, typically measured between opposing lands, or the diameter of the ammunition designed for it?
A. Caliber
B. Land
C. Rifling
D. Smoothbore
Answer: A
3. During a forensic investigation, a ballistics expert examines a fired bullet and notices distinct impressions left by the raised ridges inside the gun barrel. What are these specific raised helical structures called?
A. Caliber
B. Land
C. Rifling
D. Smoothbore
Answer: B
4. What is the name for the overall system of spiral grooves and ridges machined into the interior of a firearm barrel to impart a stabilizing spin on a bullet?
A. Caliber
B. Land
C. Rifling
D. Smoothbore
Answer: C
5. Which type of firearm design features a completely flat, ungrooved interior barrel surface that does not impart a spin on the projectile?
A. Caliber
B. Land
C. Rifling
D. Smoothbore
Answer: D
6. During a forensic examination of a fired cartridge case recovered from a crime scene, the ballistician observes a distinct toolmark on the rim or the groove of the casing. This mark is left when the mechanical claw of the firearm pulls the spent shell out of the breech chamber after firing. Which of the following marks is being described?
A. Firing Pin Mark
B. Extractor Mark
C. Ejector Mark
D. Shearing Mark
Answer: B
7. A suspect weapon is test-fired in a laboratory. Upon examining the base of the fired cartridge case, the examiner notes a deep indentation directly in the center of the primer cup, caused by the strike that ignited the priming mixture. What type of mark is this?
A. Firing Pin Mark
B. Extractor Mark
C. Ejector Mark
D. Shearing Mark
Answer: A
8. In a homicide investigation, a spent cartridge case is found with a clear, localized scuff mark on the rear face of the head, typically located opposite the extractor mark. This mark is created when the cartridge is pushed forward and flipped out of the firearm's ejection port by a protruding metal component. This is known as a/an:
A. Firing Pin Mark
B. Extractor Mark
C. Ejector Mark
D. Shearing Mark
Answer: C
9. While examining a cartridge case fired from a semi-automatic pistol, a forensic ballistics expert notices a shaved or striated mark on the primer. This happens when the firing pin protrudes from the breech face as the barrel drops down during the unlocking cycle, causing the metal to scrape. This specialized toolmark is called a:
A. Firing Pin Mark
B. Extractor Mark
C. Ejector Mark
D. Shearing Mark
Answer: D
10. Which of the following marks on a cartridge case is primarily produced by the rearward motion of the casing pushing against the ejector block or pin, effectively forcing the empty shell to spin out of the gun?
A. Firing Pin Mark
B. Extractor Mark
C. Ejector Mark
D. Shearing Mark
Answer: C
11. Which part of a cartridge contains the projectile?
A. Primer
B. Bullet
C. Powder
D. Rim
Answer: B. The bullet is the projectile that leaves the barrel and travels toward the target.
12. Which part of the ammunition ignites the propellant when struck by the firing pin?
A. Case
B. Bullet
C. Primer
D. Rim
Answer: C. The primer contains a shock-sensitive compound that ignites when struck by the firing pin, which in turn ignites the propellant.
13. What part of the cartridge holds all the other components together?
A. Case
B. Primer
C. Bullet
D. Powder
Answer: A. The case (or cartridge case) contains the primer, propellant, and bullet, holding them together as a complete cartridge.
14. Which component produces the expanding gases that propel the bullet?
A. Primer
B. Rim
C. Propellant powder
D. Bullet jacket
Answer: C. The burning propellant powder generates high-pressure gases that drive the bullet down the barrel.
15. In centerfire ammunition, the primer is located at the:
A. Tip of the bullet
B. Side of the case
C. Center of the base
D. Neck of the case
Answer: C. In centerfire cartridges, the primer is seated in the center of the cartridge base (head).
16. Which part of a cartridge travels through the barrel toward the target?
A. Case
B. Primer
C. Bullet
D. Powder
Answer: C. Only the bullet exits the barrel; the case remains in the firearm.
17. The groove near the base of a cartridge case is primarily used for:
A. Holding the primer
B. Bullet expansion
C. Extraction by the extractor
D. Igniting the powder
Answer: C. The extractor groove allows the firearm's extractor to grip and remove the spent cartridge case from the chamber.
18. The neck of a bottleneck cartridge case serves to:
A. Hold the bullet securely
B. Contain the primer
C. Catch the extractor
D. Increase recoil
Answer: A. The neck grips the bullet firmly to keep it properly seated before firing.
19. Which sequence correctly describes the firing process of a cartridge?
A. Powder → Primer → Bullet
B. Primer → Powder → Bullet
C. Bullet → Primer → Powder
D. Bullet → Powder → Primer
Answer: B. The firing pin strikes the primer, which ignites the powder, producing gases that propel the bullet.
20. Which part of the cartridge case supports the primer in centerfire ammunition?
A. Mouth
B. Neck
C. Head
D. Shoulder
Answer: C. The head of the cartridge case contains the primer pocket and provides support for the primer.
Forensic Report Writing and Laboratory Safety Review Questions 1
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