Forensic Ballistics

Concept: In forensic ballistics, firearms examiners analyze bullets and cartridge cases to determine whether they were fired from a particular weapon. When a bullet travels through a gun barrel, it acquires unique markings caused by the rifling of the barrel. These markings include:

• Striations on the bullet surface
• Land and groove impressions

These characteristics help forensic experts match a bullet to the firearm that fired it.
Step 1: Understanding the need for bullet comparison.
To determine whether two bullets were fired from the same firearm, investigators must compare the microscopic markings present on the bullets.
Step 2: Identifying the microscope used.
A Comparison Microscope is specifically designed to view two objects simultaneously side by side. It allows forensic examiners to compare the microscopic striations on bullets and determine whether they match. Thus, the correct answer is: