Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics: Examining and Interpreting Forensic Evidence [Hardcover]

Brian J. Heard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0471965634 | ISBN-13: 978-0471965633 | Edition: 1

Does the gunshot residue reveal how far from the target a weapon was fired? Is there any trace evidence to prove the accused handled a specific firearm? What is the likely behaviour of a ricocheting bullet? Do the marks on a bullet prove categorically that it was fired from a particular weapon? Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics tackles these and many more issues in a clear and accessible manner and is essential reading for all defence and prosecution practitioners, the judiciary, forensic experts, police forces and all those involved in this fascinating area. The judges’ view: "For those judges who have to try crimes involving firearms it will be of great assistance to have available in one volume such a comprehensive review of the subject …" His Honour Judge Neil Denison QC, Common Serjeant of London, UK "In a world where real expertise becomes increasingly significant it is important to have a standard against which to judge that expertise. The book, I believe, will help mark such a standard." His Honour Judge Duncan S. Kilgour, District Court, Hong Kong "I am very impressed. For many years I have wanted — and needed — a book such as this. … if one reads, marks and inwardly digests the whole, there will not be much, if anything, about firearms which one does not know." Judge Henry Pownoll QC, Central Criminal Court, London, UK The practitioners’ view: "…for the first time it becomes possible to understand the bases upon which the connections between firearms and ammunition and between each/either of them and a wound or damage may be established. Counsel and solicitors practising in our criminal courts will find that this book is an essential read." Michael Hill QC, Barrister, London, UK "In the forensic context I have encountered many of the problems examined in detail in this useful handbook … and in my view no practitioner in this field should be without it." Ronald Thwaites QC, Barrister, London, UK The forensic scientist’s view: "… the text should be readily comprehensible to lawyers, laymen and scientists alike. This book should be compulsory reading for all lawyers dealing with cases involving firearms. It will also appeal generally to anyone with an interest in forensic science and specifically to those with an interest in firearms." Dr David Clarke, Chief Chemist, Forensic Science Division, Hong Kong Government Laboratory The firearms experts’ view: "It is quite obvious that Mr Heard is a very experienced firearms examiner … His ability to explain and simplify difficult reference material will be of great value within the scientific and legal communities. I would strongly recommend that this book be available to every practising firearms examiner as well as laboratory directors and others interested in this field of science." James E. Hamby, Laboratory Director, Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency, USA "Brian Heard’s clear writing disperses the mystery that has traditionally surrounded forensic ballistics …" Bill Harriman, Head of Firearms, British Association for Shooting and Conservation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Brian Heard provides readers with a sophisticated forensic interest in firearms with a hugely detailed and authoritative ‘state of the art' manual of all aspects of firearms and ballistics . . . Neil Davison also provides us with a detailed, thorough, and an authoritative manual on the huge variety of ‘non-lethal' weapons that are available, in development, or whose development has been terminated or fallen into abeyance." (A Journal of Policy and Practice, 16 February 2011)

"This second edition of the Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics is welcomed, particularly given the lack of collected research elsewhere." (The Howard Journal, February 2010)

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From the Publisher

This book offers a detailed and clear examination of the latest scientific techniques and key issues. Questions such as the distance away from a target that a weapon was fired, whether there is any trace evidence that can prove the accused handled a specific firearm, whether the marks on a particular bullet can be said to categorically prove that it was fired from a particular weapon, or whether an erased serial number can be restored are covered in very accessible terms. The technical specifications and characteristics of common weapons are also discussed together with a plain explanation of specialist terminology and advice on the cross examination of expert witnesses.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 278 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 3, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471965634
• ISBN-13: 978-0471965633
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,049,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics, December 11, 2006

By 

Jan Grofik "Amur Zdar" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics: Examining and Interpreting Forensic Evidence (Hardcover)

Very well written, easy to read, simple clear pictures. First third of the book talks about general knowledge of firearms, ammunition and ballistics. How they work, types, nomenclature, etc. If you are firearms enthusiast or you work with firearms this part does not give you to much new information. If you looking to get more knowledge about forensic ballistic the rest two thirds are more interesting. This book should be excellent for lawyers, police officers, judges and for anybody who needs to know more about this topic. Only one complaint: Too expensive for the info in this book. For about $120 you can get 3 or 4 books with much more information. Like example Firearms Investigation Identification and Evidence written by Hatcher, Jury and Weller.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hanbook of Firearms and Ballistics, November 24, 1999

By 

Arlen Yalkut (New York State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics: Examining and Interpreting Forensic Evidence (Hardcover)

This book is a concise and incisive overview of the operation of various firearms and the testing procedures used to properly identify and match firearms to spent cartridges. It is written in an easy and effective style and is of use to the criminal practitioner engaged in the felony trials.

5.0 out of 5 stars Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics: Examining an Interpreting Forensic Evidence, July 9, 2011

By 

Joseph Keating (Chicago, IL.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics: Examining and Interpreting Forensic Evidence (Developments in Forensic Science) (Hardcover)

I really like this book a lot. It's hard to cover all the information with forensic firearms and ballistics in one book. Forensics is where law meets science, you follow the evidence with scientific methods and let the evidence speak. This book will give you all the tools to understand the process. Some areas are completely covered; serial number restoration, gunshot residue examination(GSR),test firing, accidental discharge, trajectory, how to determine range/distance firing, ballistics and firearm examination process. The explanations, terms and nomenclature are all given in a easy to understand way. The areas not covered in detail are trade names, proof markings and the whole identification process(make, model and year of manufactured through markings), I believe its better covered in other reference books. This book gives a great overview on the whole process of identification. If you're looking for serial number restoration, which there is not much published on the subject, this book covers all current methods used. In order to get all the hands on information and training in this book, you would have to work in a forensic firearms lab.