The updated second edition of Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics includes recent developed analytical techniques and methodologies with a more comprehensive glossary, additional material, and new case studies. With a new chapter on the determination of bullet caliber via x-ray photography, this edition includes revised material on muzzle attachments, proof marks, non-toxic bullets, and gunshot residues. Essential reading for forensic scientists, firearms examiners, defense and prosecution practitioners, the judiciary, and police force, this book is also a helpful reference guide for undergraduate and graduate forensic science students.

About the Author
Brian Heard began his career as an examiner in firearms and ballistics with the Metropolitan Police Forensics Firearms Laboratory at New Scotland Yard, London, UK. He rose to the level of Deputy Head of the Laboratory before joining the Royal Hong Kong Police as a ballistics officer. He is currently the officer in charge of the Ballistics and Firearms Identification Bureau for the Royal Hong Kong Police. He appears regularly in court as an expert witness in cases involving firearms, ammunition, tools and toolmarks, and has undertaken the research, development and implementation of improved techniques for the collection, examination and interpretation of gunshot residue particles via a scanning electron microscope. He also lectures to police training establishments and related organisations on all aspects of forensic ballistics, forensic firearms and toolmark examinations, gunshot residue analysis and the use of these techniques in criminal investigations.

Reviews
"I would strongly recommend that this book be made available to practicing firearms examiners, laboratory directors, others interested in this field of science and attorneys." (AFTE Journals, 2011)

"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)

Book Information
ISBN 9780470694602
Author Brian J. Heard
Format Hardback
Page Count 416
Imprint John Wiley & Sons Inc
Publisher John Wiley & Sons Inc
Weight(grams) 851g
Dimensions(mm) 248mm * 176mm * 27mm