The societal implication of the influence and prevalence of firearms in American society has affected the development of forensic science in the legal system. For over a hundred years, ballistics has played a leading role in courts of law. This is not to say that the subject of ballistics has remained unscathed or unchallenged in its history as a forensic technique. Although considerable emphasis is placed on the use of firearms, the topic of firearms as a whole has impacted the legal system just as much as any other technological advancement. The law has continually been created and changed in order to keep up with the development of firearm technology. As this technology advanced, the law, through forensic ballistics, attempted to quantify and identify the details of the projectiles fired. Forensic science and firearms technology have clashed in a constant battle to "corner the market" in controlling the influence of ballistics. To understand the role and development of forensic ballistics in modern legal proceedings, this essay will examine the myriad elements that, in combination, create the whole that is forensic ballistics. First, this essay will examine the historical development of forensic ballistics by reviewing multiple definitions of ballistics, examining aspects of firearms and ballistic analysis, discussing techniques used in identification and ballistic analysis, discussing methods used to circumvent the evidence produced by ballistic analysis. , and examining a major case in which ballistic evidence was used in connection with the previously mentioned topics. Finally, this essay will produce a critical assessment of ballistics by reviewing and responding to modern court decisions, recognizing the mod...... middle of article...... n College Dictionary, via Google. com. 2014. Simon, James. “Ballistic Information on Gunshot Wounds.” Western Journal of Medicine. Volume 135. Number 1. (1981): 69. United States National Library of Medicine. Internet. April 1, 2014. Steele, Lisa and Drogin, Erik York. Science for lawyers. United States: American Bar Association, 2008. Print. Wiard, Seth. “Application of Ballistics in Legal Cases.” American Journal of Police Science. Volume 2. (1931): 174-178. HeinOnline. Internet. March 26, 2014. Wiard, Seth Captain. “Ballistics Applied to Police Science.” American Journal of Police Science. Volume 1. (1930): 538-541. HeinOnline. Internet. March 26, 2014. Wilson, Charles. “Two new instruments for measuring the “class” characteristics of fired bullets.” American Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology. Volume 27. (1936-37): 97-107. HeinOnline. Internet. March 26 2014.