Instructor: John Paolucci
Course length: 3 hours

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Bullet Ricochet Phenomena Webinar

Students in this newly expanded three-hour online training course will be instructed to recognize ballistic impact markings from a bullet ricochet, and how to understand and document these markings. Students will be provided with insight into the characteristics that contain important information such as directionality, impact angles, and rifling characteristics.  Students will also be instructed on documenting these bullet ricochet phenomena in notes and photographs.

Course Content:

2 pm – 3:30 pm
Students will learn to define bullet ricochet, angle of impact, critical angle, ricochet angle, and angle of deflection.  Students will also gain insight into the conditions that are conducive to ricochet production and the effects of various substrates on ricochet angles.  The following substrates will be discussed: frangible, non-frangible, and curved surfaces.  Students will be exposed to the investigation of bullet ricochet markings on automotive glass to include directionality determinations and rifling characteristics (land and groove identification and collection will be discussed).  Rifling characteristics from recovered bullets and from bullet ricochet impact markings (including the “Chisum Trail”) will be discussed.

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
The application of bullet ricochet identification to crime scene analysis and reconstruction will be outlined, including directionality determinations.  The following topics are included: recognition of ricochet crease profiles dependent on different substrates, noting the classic rounded edge impact point, and identifying and documenting the Lifting Phenomenon.  The following areas of ricochets will be discussed: painted sheet metal characteristics (such as those found in automotive applications including paint pinch.  Paint fracture lines will be covered including the topside and underside “Christmas Tree” effect.
Additionally, this course will address best practices for data to be included on notes, photographing bullet ricochets, methods for impact angle determination and documentation, and methods for ricochet angle determination and documentation.  The documentation segment will cover bullet ricochet documentation both in notes and in photographs.

4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Course review, questions and answers.  Final Exam.


This course has been approved for 3 hours of recertification training credits by the IAI Crime Scene Certification Board.

John Paolucci

As a retired Detective Sergeant from NYPD who worked his last eight years in the Forensic Investigations Division, four of them as a Crime Scene Unit supervisor. He was the first ever to command the OCME Liaison Unit where he managed all DNA evidence in NYC and trained thousands of state, local and federal investigators in DNA evidence collection and documentation. He developed a strong alliance between the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) Forensic Biology Department and NYPD. He also worked as a Narcotics Undercover and Patrol Officer in the Housing Projects of the South Bronx.

He trains students and law enforcement in forensic evidence and crime scene investigations at various venues including the Henry Lee Academy and has worked on real crime shows, appearing on both the ID Channel and A& E Network as well as numerous radio and print venues. 

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