Ballistics

/bəˈlɪstɪks/ noun

Definition

The science of how objects move through the air after being thrown or shot, used especially to solve crimes.

Etymology

From Greek 'ballein' meaning 'to throw.' The suffix '-ics' denotes it as a science. The word originally described the mechanics of catapults and projectiles in warfare.

Kelly Says

Forensic scientists can identify exactly which gun fired a bullet by examining the unique 'fingerprints' that scratches on the bullet create—it's like reading the gun's handwriting using ballistics.

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