Forensics: Crime Scene Detective — Tutorial 4: Shooting Mishap
Walkthrough for Tutorial 4 Shooting Mishap covering ballistics, bullet trajectory reconstruction, and projectile analysis.
Tutorial 4: Shooting Mishap (Misfire and Misdirection) teaches ballistics documentation and trajectory reconstruction. You learn to document bullet holes, remove embedded projectiles, and use trajectory rods in the laboratory to determine shooting angles and origins.
Crime Scene Ballistics Documentation
- Locate all bullet holes in walls, furniture, and surfaces.
- Place evidence markers next to each bullet impact point.
- Photograph each bullet hole with the marker visible.
- After documentation, remove any embedded projectiles carefully.
- Collect projectiles in evidence containers for lab comparison.
- Note entry vs exit wound characteristics if applicable.
Trajectory Reconstruction in the Lab
At the projectile recovery tank and ballistics workstation, insert trajectory rods through documented bullet holes to reconstruct the shooting path. The angle and intersection of rods reveal where the shooter was positioned. This data helps distinguish between murder, self-defense, accident, and staged scenarios.
Forensics: Crime Scene Detective — ballistics and shooting tutorial
Understanding Shooting Scenarios
| Scenario | Trajectory Clues | Evidence Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Murder | Rods converge on external shooter position | Multiple wounds, defensive injuries unlikely |
| Self-defense | Rods point from victim toward threat | Close-range wounds, defensive posture evidence |
| Accident | Erratic trajectory, single discharge | No staging evidence, witness corroboration |
| Staged scene | Inconsistent rod angles vs physical evidence | Moved bodies, planted objects |
Important: Always document bullet holes with photographs BEFORE removing projectiles. Removing a bullet without documentation is a chain-of-custody violation that lowers your rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I remove a bullet from a surface?
Only after placing a marker, photographing the bullet hole, and completing your scene documentation of that area.
What is the projectile recovery tank?
A laboratory water tank where you reconstruct bullet trajectories using rods inserted through documented impact points.
Can ballistics alone solve a case?
Rarely. Ballistics provides trajectory data that must be combined with DNA, fingerprints, digital evidence, and witness statements for a complete conclusion.
Related Pages
Tutorial: Cold Storage
Digital evidence collection and chip analysis training.
Tutorial: Another Robbery
Systematic evidence gathering and lab submission.
Tutorial: Breaking and Entering
Fingerprint fuming, DNA samples, and suspect identification.
Case 1: Locked Office Murder
Full solution for the first real investigation case.