What term describes the striations on a bullet after it passes through a barrel?

What term describes the striations on a bullet after it passes through a barrel?

• A. Signature
• B. Marking
• C. Ballistic imprint
• D. Rifling

Answer: (D)

The term that describes the striations on a bullet after it passes through a barrel is "rifling." Rifling refers to the spiral grooves that are machined into the bore of a gun barrel. These grooves impart a spin to the bullet as it travels through the barrel, stabilizing its flight and improving accuracy. As the bullet is forced through the rifled barrel, it picks up distinct striations or marks from the grooves, which can be used for ballistic identification. This characteristic is crucial in forensic ballistics, where experts can match bullets found at a crime scene to a specific firearm based on the unique pattern of striations left on the bullet by the rifling of the barrel. Each barrel has its specific rifling pattern, which can include variables such as the width and depth of the grooves, the twist rate, and the number of grooves. Understanding this concept is essential for anyone studying firearms forensics, as it highlights how individual firearms can be identified through the unique markings they impart on bullets.

The term that describes the striations on a bullet after it passes through a barrel is "rifling." Rifling refers to the spiral grooves that are machined into the bore of a gun barrel. These grooves impart a spin to the bullet as it travels through the barrel, stabilizing its flight and improving accuracy. As the bullet is forced through the rifled barrel, it picks up distinct striations or marks from the grooves, which can be used for ballistic identification.

This characteristic is crucial in forensic ballistics, where experts can match bullets found at a crime scene to a specific firearm based on the unique pattern of striations left on the bullet by the rifling of the barrel. Each barrel has its specific rifling pattern, which can include variables such as the width and depth of the grooves, the twist rate, and the number of grooves.

Understanding this concept is essential for anyone studying firearms forensics, as it highlights how individual firearms can be identified through the unique markings they impart on bullets.