Forensic Ballistics: the Science Behind Shot

What does a bullet reveal about a crime? How do forensic experts match a projectile to a specific weapon? What can gunshot residue tell investigators about the distance, angle, and sequence of shots fired? In Forensic Ballistics: The Science Behind the Shot, André Kologeski presents a comprehensive and accessible guide to the science of firearms examination in criminal investigations. Covering internal, external, and terminal ballistics, striation analysis, the IBIS/NIBIN automated identification system, gunshot residue (GSR) analysis, and crime scene reconstruction, this work bridges the gap between technical forensic science and accessible knowledge. From the physics of ignition and projectile flight to the microscopic examination of barrel striations, from the chemistry of lead, barium, and antimony residues to the digital algorithms that link bullets across thousands of unsolved cases, this book offers a rigorous yet readable journey through one of the most powerful tools in criminal investigation. Grounded in peer-reviewed research and illustrated with original charts and diagrams, this book is essential reading for forensic science students, law enforcement professionals, legal practitioners, and anyone fascinated by the science behind criminal investigations.