Cartridges and Firearm Identification

383 Pages·2012·36.08 MB·English

by  Robert E. Walker

SFOHRELEVNISNIGC SG U&I DCREIMINAL JUSTICE
Walker
Cartridges and
Cartridges and
Firearm Identification Firearm
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At a time when crime scene television shows are all the rage amongst the civilian population, knowledge
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of firearm forensics is of paramount importance to crime scene analysts, police detectives, and attorneys t Identification
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for both the prosecution and the defense. Cartridges and Firearm Identification brings together i
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a unique, multidisciplined approach to questions that arise regarding ammunition and firearms within g
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the context of investigation. Supplying essential practical information about firearms and ammunition e
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in a clear, easy-to-follow format, this volume:

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• Defines and depicts photographically all varieties of firearms n
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• Presents investigative concerns of firearms evidence from the perspectives of evidence preservation
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and safe handling procedures
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Cartridges and r
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• Introduces readers to the standards of measurement used to classify ammunition,
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including the significance of names, adjeFctiviers, eanda othrerm desc riIptdors eusend int ciofinjucnctiaon wtiitho n
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ammunition cartridges

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• Categorizes and identifies ammunition head stamps from cartridges produced around the world d
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• Provides ammunition manufacturing practices for dozens of nations n
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The text offers a methodology for the identification of unknown firearms as well as ammunition of fi
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questioned identity. The author explains the terminology and describes each group of firearms and the
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aspects that identify the weaponry—including property marks, proof marks, and patent dates. Lavishly
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illustrated, this comprehensive reference includes case studies to support the text, making it a premier o
reference for all those responsible for the complicated task of investigating firearms and cartridges. n
K14417
Robert E. Walker
6000 Broken Sound Parkway, NW
Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
711 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
an informa business 2 Park Square, Milton Park
www.taylorandfrancisgroup.com Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN, UK w w w . c r c p r e s s . c o m
K14417_cover.indd 1 10/22/12 3:17 PM

Cartridges and
Firearm
Identifi cation

Cartridges and
Firearm
Identifi cation
Robert E. Walker
Boca Raton London New York
CRC Press is an imprint of the
Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742
© 2013 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business
No claim to original U.S. Government works
Version Date: 2012907
International Standard Book Number-13: 978-1-4665-0207-9 (eBook - PDF)
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To my lovely wife Jayne and our adorable children Sam, Ava, and Max.

Contents
Foreword xv
Preface xvii
Acknowledgments xix
About the Author xxi
1 The World of Firearms and Ammunition 1
Introduction 1
Balancing Firearm Safety with Evidence Preservation 1
Crimes Involving Firearms and Ammunition 5
Firearm “Expert”? A Complex Question 8
Exculpatory Evidence 10
The Frye and Daubert Standards 11
Gunsmiths versus Armorers 12
Firearm Examiner 14
Firearm Subject-Matter Expert 14
Basics: Understanding What Makes a Firearm Operate 15
Trigger Travel 16
Single-Action Firearms 17
Double-Action Firearms 18
Sequence of Operation 19
Methods of Operation 20
Gas Impingement 20
Gas-Piston Operation 21
Recoil Operation 23
Blowback Operation 23
Recoil-Operated versus Blowback Firearms 25
Striker-Fired Firearms, a Contemporary Trend 27
Emergence of the Polymer-Framed Pistol 28
Manually Operated Firearms 30
Breech-Loaded Firearms 30
Lever-Action Firearms 31
Bolt-Action Firearms 31
Slide- or Pump-Action Firearms 32
2 Ammunition Cartridges 33
Ammunition: A Backdrop 33
Cartridge Identification by Dimensions, Names, and Identifiers 38
Caliber 38
vii
viii Contents
Hyphenations, Names, and Other Identifiers 40
Metric System 42
Cartridges Having Caliber and Metric Designations 43
Other Identifiers 43
Shot Shells 44
Components of Fixed Ammunition 46
Cartridge Casing 46
Materials Used in Construction of Cartridge Casings 49
Brass 52
Aluminum 53
Steel 54
Nickel Plating 54
Shot Shells 54
Paper 55
Plastic 56
Polymer-Cased Cartridges 56
Caseless Ammunition 58
Ignition Systems and Propellants 60
Center-Fire Cartridges 61
Berden Priming 61
Boxer Priming 62
Rim-Fire Cartridges 62
Black Powder 62
Smokeless Powder 63
Lesmoke Powder 65
Action Time 65
Electric Priming 65
Projectiles 66
Commonly Used Abbreviations to Identify Projectile Styles 66
Cannelures 67
Ball Projectiles and Variations 67
Controlled-Expansion Projectiles 72
Open-Tip Match 75
Wad Cutter and Semi-Wad Cutter 78
Armor Piercing 78
Tres Haute Vitesse (THV) 79
Van Bruaene Rik (VBR) 79
Frangible Projectiles 80
Blended-Metal Projectiles 82
Glaser Safety Slug 82
Tracer Ammunition 83
Explosive Projectiles 84
Dummy, Drilled, and Inert 86
Blank Cartridges 86
Subsonic Cartridges 88
Sabots 89
Gyro Jet 90