Trajectory 1

RUNNING HEAD: Trajectory

Applications of Trajectory in Forensics

Charles Heiskell Kope

Santa Ana College

Criminal Justice 108 – Crime Scene Investigation MW

 Trajectory 2

Abstract

Trajectory simply refers to the flight path of a projectile. With this simple terminology, comes a

crucial part of forensic science that may make or break a case. Because of the exactness of the

science of trajectory, the path a projectile takes can be mapped out with mathematical precision.

This exactness is crucial in determining guilt in a legal case, and may even be the determining

evidence in a case determining the life or death of a defendant. Forensic science is interested in

the origin of a projectile, most commonly bullets, and their flight path. Methods of determining

the trajectory of a projectile include tools such as trajectory lasers, photographic fog, and

trajectory rods.
 Trajectory 3

Applications of Trajectory in Forensics

According to Fundamentals of Physics, trajectory is simply the path of a projectile

(Walker, 2008). In spite of this simple terminology, trajectory plays a significant role in forensic

science as well as everyday applications. Through physical knowledge and understanding of

trajectory and projectile motion, one can calculate the path of a falling object or a projectile with

mathematical precision. This exactness is crucial in determining guilt in a legal case, and may

even be the determining evidence in a case determining the life or death of a defendant. Many

cases have employed the knowledge of trajectory in order to determine guilt in crimes such as

officer involved shootings, and have been key evidence in sentencing a defendant to death.

Modern knowledge of trajectory may even aid in solving old cases. For example, modern

applications show that a case from the 1900’s in Victorian England was not a suicide, but may in

fact be a homicide (Bailey & Mitchell, 2006). Cases such as this provide excellent examples in

displaying the mathematical precision of calculating a trajectory, and how it can be used to

determine whether or not it is statistically possible for the case to be accidental, suicide, or even

homicide. Today, forensic scientists have many tools to aid in the trajectory analysis of crime

scenes, such as trajectory lasers and photographic fog, trajectory rods, or string.

Applications

Physics

According to Fundamentals of Physics, projectile motion is the motion of an object if

said object is projected, or launched (Walker, 2008). When looking at motion, the direction of

travel can be classified in two directions; horizontal and vertical motion. Both horizontal and

vertical motion are independent of each other, meaning that neither motion effects the other. In

horizontal motion, the object does not accelerate when in ideal circumstances. However, in the
 Trajectory 4

real world, the horizontal motion may be slowed due to drag, air resistance, friction, or a number

of other outside forces acting on the object. Because of this, we know that the muzzle velocity of

a bullet is approximately constant. Unlike horizontal motion, the vertical motion of a projectile

does accelerate. This acceleration is due to the force of gravity, which accelerates objects toward

the earth’s surface at a rate of 9.8 meters per second every second. Because these two types of

motion are independent, a bullet dropped at a height of, for example, ten meters will fall to the

ground just as fast as it would if that bullet were fired from a gun horizontally at the same height

(Lehrman, 1993). Just as outside forces may act against the constant horizontal velocity of a

projectile, the same outside forces may alter the path of a projectile in vertical motion as well.

Knowledge of the physics of these outside forces aid scientist is determining the exact path of a

bullet. This information has been applied in engineering sights and scopes for rifles and

weaponry that are manufactured for both civilian and military use.

With all of these theories tested over the course of time by many prominent members of

the classical scientific community, they have proven themselves over and over again. A number

of mathematical definitions and formulas have been derived from the simple definitions of

projectile motion and trajectory, which can be applied to discover the muzzle velocity, range,

angle of projection, or a number of other factors when trying to determine the flight path of a

bullet. These formulas have been used to design certain equipment necessary to determining the

actual flight path of the bullet.

Forensic Science

Forensic science does not use a projectile’s trajectory much for aiming and discharging

weapons but more so for figuring out the actual flight path of a projectile that has already been

fired. Forensic science is interested in the origin of a projectile, most commonly bullets, and their
 Trajectory 5

flight path. For example, a forensic scientist may be interested in the location of a sharpshooter

in an assassination, a gunman in a drive by shooting, or with the position of a suspect in relation

to a victim in a homicide case. There are many methods and tools forensic scientists use in order

to determine the origin of a bullet’s trajectory.

One of these crucial methods includes a combination of trajectory lasers, stands, and

photographic fog. The examination of evidence at the scene, such as witness testimonies, shell

casing positions, and position of bullet impacts, lead forensic scientists to determine the position

of a weapon when it was discharged. The trajectory lasers are positioned where the weapon was

fired and is aimed at the point of impact of the bullet. Photographic fog is used to make the laser

visible in order to be able to photograph the assumed path of the projectile for evidence. Another

less reliable method of marking the path of a bullet is using string. String can be used much like

trajectory lasers, although the lasers are much more reliable due to their inability to bend.

Another method used to determine the flight path of a projectile relates to victims who

have been shot. Trajectory rods are used to determine the path of a bullet through a deceased

body. Trajectory rods are generally two to three feet long and are made from a flexible plastic.

These rods used to be made out of less flexible material, such as steel, although these have been

disputed as evidence due to their inability to curve with the changing path of a projectile and

their rigidity which may cause damage to the body by creating a false or altered exit wound.

These rods are commonly used to display the angle of penetration of a projectile into a body

which would provide valuable evidence in a case, such as the position of the victim as he was

shot. These rods can also be used to show the bullet’s path through a rigid object, such as a car

door or a wall.
 Trajectory 6

Conclusion

The simple idea of tracing the path of a projectile has many applications in the world of

forensics. It can be used to verify the story of a police officer in the case of an officer involved

shooting or it can be used to destroy the case of a defendant convicted of first degree murder.

The trajectory of a projectile can be calculated with mathematical exactness, and can prove the

location of a weapon that has been fired, as well as whether or not there may or may not be

multiple gunmen. The mathematical precision of the calculation of trajectory is exactly what

makes this knowledge useful in forensic science. Whether the case is a century old or very recent

does not matter; it can still be solved by using these practical applications. Trajectory may

provide some new breakthroughs in the determination of sharpshooters. Infrared systems are

being engineered for their use at sniper situations in order to save lives in the field. They can

now determine the location of a sharpshooter the second they fire a shot. This system will map

out the flight path of the bullets, and will give away the sniper’s location, which will save lives,

time, and manpower searching a busy street that may potentially have thousands of windows

overlooking it.
 Trajectory 7

References

Walker, J., (2007). Fundamentals of Physics. 8th Edition. Cleveland, Ohio: John Wiley & Sons.

Lehrman, R. L., (1993). Physics: The Easy Way. 3rd Edition. Hauppauge, New York: Barron’s

Educational Series, Inc.

(2008). Police One Forensic Supplies. Retrieved November 30, 2008, from

http://www.policeone.com/police-products/investigation/forensic-supplies/.

Bailer, J., Mitchell, P.D., (2006).A case for Sherlock Holmes: forensic investigation of a gunshot

wound to the head dating from Victorian London. A case for Sherlock Holmes: forensic

investigation of a gunshot wound to the head dating from Victorian London. 17,1, 100-

104.