Ballistic Test

**Gerkie** · 21-11-2012, 12:07

My firearm has been for ballistic tests and I was wondering if I was to be in an incident that it requires the police to do ballistic testing, will it need to be taken in again or can they go back to the info they already have?

**Toxxyc** · 21-11-2012, 12:18

They take it again and test for everything again. It's because a firearm can change, the rifling and barrel and things can change over time to result in different markings on bullets when fired.

**WernerZA** · 21-11-2012, 12:25

I'm pretty sure they would take it again for ballistics. If your first ballistic test was not of value as evidence, they would dispose of it. If they have a good reason to believe your firearm has been used to commit an offence, they will seize and test it as per the act.

Why do you ask

**Gerkie** · 21-11-2012, 12:47

I read in another thread that they took a man's firearm for ballistic testing that was involved in a shooting in Springs and was wondering in my case if this had happened to me would I've been able to tell the police that it has been for ballistic testing in the past!

It's really shit if they take your firearm for ballistic testing, a test IMO that should take no longer than max 1 week, took them 3 months!!!

**WernerZA** · 21-11-2012, 12:57

If you get involved in a shooting that can relate to an offence, they will take your FA. 3 months does sound a bit ridiculous though

**Toxxyc** · 21-11-2012, 13:10

3 months is nothing. A friend of mine shot two BGs and his FA was held for just over a year. Apparently GFSA jumped on his case though, so that's a problem.