Ballistics

Ammunition Testing and Wound Ballistics

Forensic scientists examine two 16" long by 6" square blocks of ballistic gelatin. This material will help to simulate a bullet's penetration power and characteristics.

A small assortment of guns and ammunition used. Note the Oehler on the desk, it computes a bullet's velocity of speed.

(Left) Criminalist Keith Pridgen readying weapon for test fire.

(Photo right) The three triangles are called "skyscreens" and each contain photoelectric sensors which are sensitive to the shadow of a bullet passing over the beam or "window." An orange diffuser at the top is lit by a low wattage lamp. When a bullet passes over the sensor in the front screen, the shadow triggers a clock in the battery-operated "chronograph," When the bullet passes over the far screen sensor, the clock is stopped. The chronograph brain (some type of computer chip) calculates the time the bullet takes to travel between the two points and displays it on the LCD screen as bullet velocity in fps (feet per second).

Ken Cougar, manufacturer's representative for sporting and law enforcement products, points out a bullet's characteristics in ballistic gelatin before removing the slug.

(Right) Two bullets have pierced two pieces of 20 guage, hot rolled steel set three inches apart, at a distance of 10 feet. The steel shown is the heaviest guage commonly found in the two panels of automobile doors.

See the spiral burst configuration in the gelatin. The damage of the bullet is called the permanent crush cavity. It is surrounded by a temporary stretch cavity, which is caused from the spiral twisting of the bullet as it flies through the target.

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