FORENSIC BALLISTICS IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS: ASSESSING THE RISK OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS AND MISCARRIAGES OF JUSTICE
AUTHOR – KAVITHA T, STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW, TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY
BEST CITATION – KAVITHA T, FORENSIC BALLISTICS IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS: ASSESSING THE RISK OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS AND MISCARRIAGES OF JUSTICE, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (9) OF 2026, PG. 788-801, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.
Abstract
Forensic ballistics has consistently held a significant role in criminal investigations that involve firearms. Ballistic evidence is generally viewed by courts and law enforcement agencies as an extremely reliable type of scientific evidence capable of linking a firearm to a particular bullet or cartridge case recovered from a crime scene. This type of evidence is often key to the prosecution of murder, terrorism, organized crime, armed robbery, and other crimes involving firearms. But increased scrutiny by scientific organizations, legal scholars, and advocates for criminal justice reform has cast serious doubt on the reliability, validity, and evidentiary certainty of forensic ballistic identification. While ballistic evidence is often presented as objective and scientific, the identification of firearms is largely a function of the subjective interpretation of forensic examiners. Questions about examiner bias, methodological limitations, lack of standardization and absence of universally accepted error rates have reignited discussions of the role of forensic ballistics in wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.
This article critically examines the scientific principles of forensic ballistics, evidentiary significance of firearm identification and the circumstances under which ballistic evidence may lead to wrongful convictions. The article explores the legal treatment of ballistic evidence in India and other comparative jurisdictions, critically analyses the major criticisms of firearm identification techniques and evaluates the potential perils of excessive reliance on forensic expertise. It also investigates the new reforms to enhance scientific rigor, transparency and accountability in forensic investigation. The study concludes that forensic ballistics is an important investigative tool but its limitations must be recognized to prevent miscarriages of justice and to maintain the integrity of criminal adjudication.
Keywords: Forensic Ballistics, Wrongful Convictions, Firearm Identification, Expert Evidence, Criminal Investigation, Miscarriages of Justice, Forensic Science.