Effect of 0.32 caliber bullets on fiberglass at various firing distances and determination of range of firing from the fracture patterns on fiberglass

Abstract

Ballistics is the study of the science of the motion and behavior of a projectile during its flight in any given medium. The flight path of a bullet in cases of firearms includes: traveling down the barrel, path through the air (or in a medium), and path through the target. The damage to the target by a hurling projectile depends upon various parameters like the type of the propellant charge used, type of the firearm, the distance of firing, etc. In some instances, it becomes difficult to estimate the range of firing when the projectile has been shot through the glass as an intermediate target. Present work is based upon the effect of 0.32 caliber bullets on fiberglass fired from different ranges and determination of range of firing from by studying the fracture pattern created on the fiberglass. The present study will be helpful for the investigator to estimate an approximate range of shooting when the firing is done through the fiberglass. It will also be utilized in the estimation of the point of entry and exit on the glass and the basis of the fracture produced will provide an idea of the type of firearm used can also be estimated.