Practice Exam: Criminalistics - Ballistics & Firearms Identification (Set 22)
A 30-question practice exam covering firearms examination, ballistic analysis, and gunshot wound interpretation.
1. In ballistic analysis, what is the term for the minute scratches and imperfections on the surface of a bullet, which are unique to a specific firearm barrel?
A.Lands and Grooves
B.Striations
C.Caliber markings
D.Breech face marks
2. Which type of ballistics deals with the motion and effects of the projectile from the moment it leaves the muzzle of the firearm until it strikes the target?
A.Interior Ballistics
B.Exterior Ballistics
C.Terminal Ballistics
D.Forensic Ballistics
3. A firearm is found at a crime scene. What is the most critical first step for the investigator to ensure the integrity of the evidence?
A.Unload the weapon immediately.
B.Document its condition and location, and render it safe without compromising evidence.
C.Dust the firearm for fingerprints.
D.Test-fire the weapon to check its functionality.
4. Under RA 10591, what is the classification for a person who owns and possesses more than fifteen (15) registered firearms?
A.Antique Firearm Collector
B.Gun Collector
C.Sports Shooter
D.Licensed Citizen
5. A gunshot wound shows a distinct "stellate" or star-shaped pattern, with soot and powder particles embedded deep within the wound track. What is the most likely range of fire?
A.Distant shot
B.Near-contact shot
C.Contact shot (hard contact)
D.Intermediate range shot
6. What part of a cartridge case is struck by the firing pin, initiating the discharge sequence?
A.The bullet
B.The case wall
C.The primer
D.The rim
7. Comparison microscopy is used in firearms identification to compare a test-fired bullet with a bullet recovered from a crime scene. What is the primary characteristic being compared?
A.The weight and caliber of the bullets.
B.The microscopic striations on the bullets' surfaces.
C.The composition of the lead alloy.
D.The shape of the bullets (e.g., round nose, hollow point).
8. Which of the following is an example of an "individual characteristic" of a firearm's barrel?
A.The number of lands and grooves.
B.The direction of twist (e.g., right or left).
C.The caliber of the barrel.
D.A specific, accidental nick or scratch inside the barrel.
9. Gunshot Residue (GSR) is composed of particles from the primer, propellant, and the firearm itself. What are the three key elements a forensic chemist typically looks for in a positive GSR test using SEM-EDX?
A.Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen
B.Iron, Copper, Zinc
C.Lead (Pb), Antimony (Sb), and Barium (Ba)
D.Brass, Steel, and Lead
10. The helical grooves cut into the interior of a barrel are known as rifling. What is their primary purpose?
A.To decrease the speed of the bullet.
B.To mark the bullet for identification.
C.To impart a spin on the bullet, stabilizing it in flight.
D.To increase the sound of the gunshot.
11. What is "breech face marking" on a cartridge case?
A.Markings left by the magazine lips.
B.Markings transferred from the firearm's breechblock to the base of the cartridge during firing.
C.Scratches from the ejector and extractor.
D.The manufacturer's headstamp.
12. In the Philippines, what is the government agency responsible for the issuance of firearm licenses and the regulation of firearms and ammunition?
A.The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
B.The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
C.The Philippine National Police - Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO)
D.The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
13. A bullet is fired into a block of ballistic gelatin. The study of the wound track, energy transfer, and projectile deformation within the gelatin falls under which category?
A.Exterior Ballistics
B.Terminal Ballistics
C.Wound Ballistics
D.Interior Ballistics
14. What does the term "caliber" generally refer to?
A.The length of the firearm barrel.
B.The weight of the bullet in grains.
C.The approximate diameter of the barrel's bore.
D.The number of cartridges a firearm can hold.
15. An unfired cartridge is found at a scene. Which of the following marks would generally NOT be found on it?
A.Magazine lip striations
B.Extractor marks
C.Firing pin impression
D.Ejector marks
16. What is trajectory analysis in a shooting investigation primarily concerned with?
A.The emotional state of the shooter.
B.The speed of the bullet upon impact.
C.The path of the bullet from the muzzle to its final resting place.
D.The type of firearm used.
17. The raised portions of metal between the grooves inside a rifled barrel are called:
A.Striae
B.Lands
C.Ridges
D.Calibers
18. A "tattooing" or "stippling" pattern around a gunshot wound is caused by what?
A.The impact of the bullet itself.
B.The flame from the muzzle blast.
C.Unburned and partially burned gunpowder particles striking the skin.
D.The shockwave created by the projectile.
19. According to RA 10591, what is the maximum number of ammunition a licensed citizen is allowed to possess for each registered firearm at any given time?
A.20 rounds
B.50 rounds
C.100 rounds
D.Unlimited, as long as it is for personal use.
20. What is the main purpose of the "chain of custody" for a piece of firearm evidence?
A.To determine the market value of the firearm.
B.To clean and repair the firearm for testing.
C.To create a continuous, documented record of who has handled the evidence from collection to trial.
D.To publish the details of the evidence for the public.
21. Which type of handgun characteristically ejects its spent cartridge cases after each shot?
A.Revolver
B.Semiautomatic Pistol
C.Derringer
D.Single-shot pistol
22. What does the "gauge" of a shotgun refer to?
A.The length of the barrel in inches.
B.The number of pellets in a standard shell.
C.The number of lead balls of the bore's diameter that would equal one pound.
D.The maximum effective range in yards.
23. A firearms examiner uses a special tank of water to obtain test-fired bullets. What is the primary reason for using water?
A.To clean the bullet of any residue.
B.To decelerate the bullet without damaging its microscopic striations.
C.To cool the bullet down quickly.
D.To measure the bullet's velocity.
24. A distinct ring of residue around a bullet hole on a target, known as "bullet wipe," is primarily composed of what?
A.Lead from the bullet core.
B.A mixture of carbon, dirt, lubricant, and lead from the bullet's surface.
C.Rust from the inside of the barrel.
D.Melted plastic from a shotshell wad.
25. The study of the processes that occur from the ignition of the propellant until the projectile exits the barrel is known as:
A.Forensic Ballistics
B.Interior Ballistics
C.Exterior Ballistics
D.Terminal Ballistics
26. Which of the following is considered a "class characteristic" of a firearm?
A.A broken firing pin tip.
B.A scratch on the breech face.
C.The number of lands and grooves in the barrel.
D.A unique wear pattern on the ejector.
27. Under Philippine law (RA 10591), a firearm that is more than fifty (50) years old and serves as a historical object is classified as what?
A.A legacy firearm
B.A restricted firearm
C.An antique firearm
D.An unserviceable firearm
28. What is the term for the outward beveling of bone on the exit side of a gunshot wound to the skull?
A.Keyhole defect
B.Funneling effect
C.Caliber deformation
D.Radiating fracture
29. A spent shotgun shell is recovered at a scene. What part of the shell can provide class characteristics linking it to a specific type of shotgun?
A.The color of the plastic hull.
B.The firing pin impression and breech face marks on the primer.
C.The printed text on the hull.
D.The crimp style (e.g., star or roll).
30. If a person is caught in possession of a loaded firearm in a public place during an election gun ban period, what crime may they be charged with in addition to illegal possession?
A.Public disturbance
B.Sedition
C.Violation of the Omnibus Election Code
D.Disobedience to an agent of a person in authority