On the left, an unfired 9mm bullet. On the right, a fired bullet of the same model.
Ballistic forensics (also known as firearm examination) is the application of science to the investigation of firearms and bullets. When a bullet is fired from a gun, the gun leaves microscopic marks on the bullet and cartridge case. These marks are like ballistic fingerprints.
When an adversary recovers a bullet, forensic examiners can test-fire a suspect's gun and then compare the marks on the recovered bullet to the marks on the test-fired bullet. Cartridge cases are compared in the same way.
Used in tactics: Incrimination
Mitigations
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Anonymous purchases | An adversary can use ballistic forensics to trace back a firearm or bullet to a seller, and from there to the identity of the person who purchased the firearm or bullet. To mitigate this, you can purchase firearms and bullets anonymously, for example through connections to organized criminal networks or through fraud. |
| Stash spot or safe house | An adversary needs to have access to a firearm to perform a ballistic analysis on the firearm. To prevent this, you can store the firearm in a stash spot or safe house. |