Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2007. / Vita. Appendix: leaves 113-114. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-118).

No description available.

The three introductory chapters are intended to summarise the available knowledge prior to the experimental work and to provide useful background information for chemists, with little or no understanding of firearms, who are required to undertake the chemical aspects of firearms casework examination. Chapter 1 provides a much condensed outline of the historical development of firearms and ammunition, with emphasis on ignition systems up to the development of the percussion primer and self contained ammunition. The second chapter presents a comprehensive literature search on the chemical nature of modem ammunition and firearms, with particular attention to priming compositions and projectiles. The final introductory chapter deals with the nature and properties of firearms discharge residues and outlines the most important developments in the search for a satisfactory detection and identification method. The objective of the experimental work is to record experience gained from the 26 year terrorist campaign in Northern Ireland and to use such experience, coupled with further research and development, to substantially improve existing procedures for firearms and explosives residue detection. The experimental work conducted is detailed in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 deals primarily with the Particle Analysis method for the detection and identification of firearms discharge residue, particular attention being directed towards the particle classification system and discharge residue from mercury fulminate and Sintox primed ammunition. Chapter 6 covers suspect handling procedures and contamination avoidance and makes recommendations for permanent improvements in and regular monitoring of the environment in which suspects are sampled. Chapter 7 outlines the development of a method for the detection of the organic constituents of firearms discharge residues, which is compatible with existing inorganic firearms discharge residue and organic explosive residue detection techniques and which enables all suspects to be routinely screened for inorganic and organic firearms discharge residue and organic explosives residue. The final chapter summanses the conclusions, recommendations and comments arising from the work.

Extended Range Munitions (ERMs) are gun-launched rocket-boosted munitions having an effective range ocer 27 km. In accordance with Sea power 21 and the Marine Corps's requirements for sea-based fire support, three ERMs are being developed. The purpose of this work is to increase the range and lethality of these munitions by applying environmental effects when computing the projectiles' trajectory. A broad review of artillery and munitions literature reveals that historically 66% of ballistic error can be attributed to meteorological factors. The most important factors are wind (speed and direction), temperature, and pressure. It has also been shown that global atmospheric numerical weather presictions (NWP) data typically outperforms the traditional radiosonde data and is suitable for use in ballistic corrections. Forecasted NWP products provided by the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanographic Center (FNMOC) are integrated using the Joint Meteorology and Oceanographic (METOC) Broker Language (JMBL) into a Five Degree of Freedom (5DOF) aerodynamic model within the Autonomous Unmanned Vehicle (AUV) Workbench producing a ballistic correction (BALCOR) for the munition. This new capability can significantly enhance naval gunfire effectiveness since the BALCOR increase the munitions' range and the ability apply kinetic energy onto the target rather than using it to maneuver to the target.

The history of forensic firearms examination was evaluated to determine how the field has developed during the past 200 years; especially within the past 100 years. As aresult of this evaluation, some related issues were identified for study. The economic and general uses of firearms reference collections were considered as the collections represent potential security considerations within forensic laboratories. A survey was conducted to determine how firearms examiners used their collections, as well as their receptivity to augmenting the collections with modem technology such as photographs and CD-ROM's. A world-wide survey resulted in responses from 110 forensic laboratories. Examiners stated that the collections were used for training, repairing damaged evidence firearms, and demonstration purposes, and whilst they were prepared to accept modem techriology to augment their collection, stated that such augmentation could not replace the actual collection. Research was conducted to partially answer some legal issues, such as Daubert, et al., by test firing bullets from consecutively rifled barrels to obtain best known 'match' and 'non-match' bullets. To date, some 201 examiners from several countries have evaluated the bullet test sets with no errors. Further research was conducted by test firing four cartridges from 617 similar 9mm Glock pistols and microscopically evaluating the fired cartridge casings to determine if they were identifiable to themselves and not the other casings. All of the casings were identifiable to themselves and not to the other 616 casings. Advances in technology have allowed the development of automated ballistics imaging systems. Research, using the previously cited test bullets and cartridge casings, was conducted to evaluate the capability of the various systems, in conjunction with the abilities offirearms examiners. Three different automated systems were used to evaluate the bullets from the l0-barrel test results. One automated system was used to evaluate the 617 cartridge casings, again with excellent results.

The aim of this thesis is to introduce the basic information about the forensic ballistics and about the procedure of ballistic experts. The first chapter is dedicated to clarification the fundamental terms of the subject matter of this thesis. Beside the term of forensic ballistics I also introduce the meaning of some other related terms used in the following text. Next chapter deals with the history and development of the ballistics. The key feature of every ballistic researches are the ballistics marks described in the third chapter. I focus on the ballistic marks division, the origin and occurrence and receiving of these. The gunshot residues are mentioned in their own subchapter. The objects of the ballistic researches, listed in the chapter four, are firearms, ammunition and animate or inanimate target. Next chapter deals with the range of ballistic researches which can be divided into two groups. Within the frame of the identification examination of firearms and ammunition, the individual and group identification of the gun used in a criminal offence is performed. That means the ballistic marks from the seized firearm are compared with the ones detected in a crime scene. Within the frame of the non- identification examination the firearms and ammunition characteristics, the shooting direction,...

Thesis. 1977. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND AERONAUTICS. / Includes bibliographical references. / M.S.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2010. / Mode of access: Internet. Title from PDF title page; viewed on April 14, 2010. Major professor: Dr. Lanny Griffin. "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering." "April 2010." Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-75).

Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Forensic Science, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (Proquest, viewed on Aug. 12, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-76).