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Ballistic Examination Laboratory

The Ballistic Examination Laboratory is a specialist facility where students gain practical experience in firearms analysis, evidence handling, and forensic testing using industry-standard ballistic and DNA examination techniques.

About the facility

In our Ballistic Lab students have the opportunity to work with a range of specialized equipment such as the Chronoscope, which allows for the measurement of the force produced by a pellet fired from an air rifle. Our lab is also equipped to handle firearms and bullets that have been recovered from crime scenes. As part of the examination process, students learn how to package and unpackage rifles, pistols, and other types of ammunition and ensure that these items are safe and declared ready for examination. In addition, this is a place where we utilise specialized techniques to extract DNA samples from the firearms and ammunition, which can provide crucial evidence that can aid in determining the source, ownership, and usage of firearms and ammunition in criminal activities. Furthermore, we conduct presumptive testing to identify potential traces of biological substances like blood, saliva, or other bodily fluids.

Find out more about Science and Technology at NTU

The School of Science and Technology is an exciting multidisciplinary environment for learning, teaching and research, with some of the best facilities in the UK. We specialise in biosciences, chemistry, computing and technology, engineering, forensic science, mathematics, physics and sport science.