Forensic examination of ballistic weapons and its relevance in Indian criminal justice system

Abstract

Many serious crimes resulting in fatal decease or dangerous wound are often committed by using firearms. Firearms related crimes are increasing due to the use of firearms in the activities of terrorists, robbery, interstate criminals, serial killers, and repeat offenders in the country. In terrorist activities normally chemicals explosives are used. Like combination of the following types are encounter in recent explosion in India causing severe damage and killing of large number of people. Forensic science is playing very important role in crime investigation process. All evidence relates to crimes are collected and tested by forensic experts in laboratories and prepared proper reports. A Forensic Science Lab is a technical group with a closely devoted operation of assisting the development of criminal justice. A forensic weapons and ammunition examination specialist identifies, categorizes, and characterizes portable guns and the ammunition designed for such weapons. Internal, muzzle, exterior, and terminal ballistics are all examined during the forensic ballistics examination. Forensic scientists can conclusively prove that a particular bullet, cartridge case, or a shot shell-shell was (or was not) fired by the weapon. Forensic examination of ballistics weapons in forensic laboratories includes direction and time fire, evaluation injury, bullet and cartridges box, ammunition materials analysis by scientific methods and technologies. The evidence relating to firearms (forensic ballistics) is technical nature. The expert evidence is covered by the Indian Evidence Act 1872. The expert examines the clues in his laboratory. He performs the necessary experiments, makes necessary observations, collects data and drawn certain conclusions. The conclusions are presented in the court along with such data, illustrations, charts and photographs which make the conclusions intelligible and convincing to the court. The present research will attempt to identify such ballistic weapons examination problems.