Can you trace a bullet without a gun?

Answer 1

First, lets go over what happens when a bullet is fired from a firearm. 1) A cartridge (a bullet pressed into a metalic cartidge which contains smokeless gunpowder and a primer) is loaded into the firing chamber of the firearm. 2) When the trigger is pulled, a hammer hits a firing pin which impacts the primer on the cartridge. 3) The primer ignites the smokeless gunpowder in the cartridge which produces a high pressure explosion. 4) This explosion forces the bullet down the barrel of the firearm and toward the target. The barrel of most firearms contains groves which help stabilize the bullet in flight by imparting a spin. These groves leave marks on the bullet itself which can be compared with other bullets fired from the same firearm. In addition, the firing pin on the firearm leaves a "dimple" on the spent primer of the metallic cartridge. This can also be measured and compared to other cartridges from the same firearm.

Answer 2

No. A bullet is traced by examining the markings on the sides of the round that are created as it is pushed out the barrel. Each barrel imprints a unique set of microscopic scratch lines on the bullet's sides; it's like the bullet has it's own finger prints. But you have to have the gun to do this comparison.

Answer 3

Tracing a bullet without a gun would typically involve analyzing the bullet's trajectory, impact point, and any physical evidence at the crime scene. Forensic techniques such as ballistic analysis and examination of bullet fragments or casings can help in identifying the type of gun it was fired from, but direct tracing without a gun is challenging.