What does forensic ballistics primarily analyze?

Forensic ballistics primarily involves the analysis of firearms and ammunition. This branch of forensic science focuses on studying the characteristics, functioning, and effects of firearms, as well as the projectiles they discharge, including bullets and cartridge cases. Experts in forensic ballistics examine these elements to determine details such as the type of weapon used, the trajectory of a bullet, and even how far a shot was fired from the target. This analysis can be crucial in criminal investigations and trials, as it provides evidence that can link a suspect to a crime scene or clear them of suspicion.

The other options relate to different areas of forensic science. For instance, drug composition pertains to toxicology, which studies the effects and composition of drugs, while DNA profiling is essential in biological forensic analysis for establishing identity based on genetic material. Lastly, chemical reactions are studied within the realm of chemistry but do not specifically pertain to the examination of firearms and ammunition, which is the core focus of forensic ballistics.