The significance of ricochet marks in finding bullets at the shooting scene and in determining shooter location

The article offers an overview of the ricochet phenomenon. The authors addresses the issue of examining bullet trajectories that have been deflected as a result of coming into contact with different types of obstacles. Ricochet marks are used by forensic experts to determine bullet trajectory, pattern, caliber and shooter location. Finding the ricocheted projectiles is difficult due to the fact that the angles of incidence (impact) and reflection are not equal. This article, devoted to ballistics and ricochet phenomenon, is based on the findings of the study conducted by specialists of the MWD Academy, Volgograd, Russia. The above study involved the use of a small semiautomatic 5.45 mm PSM pistol. Experimental firing was conducted with 5.45 mm pistol cartridges with central ignition (MPC); 2.5 g steel-core bullet; 0.15-0.17 g powder charge (Sf 040 gunpowder); muzzle velocity: 315–325 m/s. The shooting targets involved 16 mm particleboards (DSP) covered with laminate and without laminate, removed from old furniture. The results of 17 experimental firings are shown in this article. For all the firing trials, the muzzle was positioned at a distance of 2 m from the anticipated impact site. Based on the obtained results, it can be inferred that for all the ricochet incidents, the angle of reflection was greater than the angle of incidence. The projectile penetrated the particleboard over a certain distance and exited out the front site. The analysis of findings will in the future serve the formulation of the conclusions about the shooting scene, including finding the projectiles. The authors developed the following sequence of recommended expert activities: determining the type of projectile, trajectory, angles of incidence and reflection, shooter position and finally, the search for a projectile.