ABSTRACT
Battlefield Forensics for Persian Gulf States provides an illustrative reference of various weapons, toolmarks, headstamps, and other traits in order to identify the origins of a variety of guns, casings, and ammunition that can be found in the Middle East. Various conflicts in the region have led to innumerable weapons being used throughout the years. The lead author, Don Mikko, has investigated and examined firearms related items of evidence in countless crime scenes throughout the world. As the Chief of the Firearms Branch at the United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL), Fort Gillem, Georgia, he recruited, trained, and competency tested military contractors deploying to various combat related areas of the world, those providing forensic firearm and toolmark identification support to local commanders. What was learned was that various foreign weapons and ammunition were being utilized in conflicts and by opposing forces.
This book educates readers on the technical data for different types of firearms, ammunition, countries of origin, proof marks, penetrator information and the typical firearm markings imparted on fired cartridge cases, such as breech-face, firing pin, ejector, and extractor markings. Forensics and biometrics within the Persian Gulf have been leveraged since the early 1990s and many of the firearms and types of ammunition covered in this handbook are addressed in an effort to assist those on the ground who are required to be able to identify such items in various scenarios. The information contained within the book has proven to be effective on the battlefield and has helped shape combat operations.
This handbook will serve as a useful reference not only to assist military and contractor personnel within the various combat locations but will also prove to be beneficial for law-enforcement, crime laboratory personnel, forensic firearm and toolmark examiners, crime scene investigators, students, practitioners, and civilian personnel throughout the world.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
section
Introduction
section I|44 pages
Weapons of the Opposing Forces in the Persian Gulf, Middle East, and Other Foreign Countries
entry |44 pages
I.1 Makarov 9mm Pistol (PM)
entry |44 pages
I.2 Tariq 9mm Pistol
entry |44 pages
I.3 Hungarian PA-63 Pistol
entry |44 pages
I.4 Iraqi Model 74 Pistol
entry |44 pages
I.5 Soviet AK-74 Assault Rifle
entry |44 pages
I.6 Soviet AK-47/AKM Assault Rifles
entry |44 pages
I.7 UZI Submachine Gun
entry |44 pages
I.8 UK L2A3/L34A1 Submachine Guns
entry |44 pages
I.9 German G3 Rifle
entry |44 pages
I.10 Soviet PPS-43 Submachine Gun
entry |44 pages
I.11 Soviet PPSh-41 Submachine Gun
entry |44 pages
I.12 Soviet Dragunov Sniper Rifle (SVD)
entry |44 pages
I.13 Romanian FPK Sniper Rifle
entry |44 pages
I.14 Soviet RPD Machine Gun
entry |44 pages
I.15 Czechoslovakian VZ52/57 Light Machine Gun
entry |44 pages
I.16 Soviet PK Machine Gun
entry |44 pages
I.17 Soviet DShK 1938/46 Heavy Machine Gun
entry |44 pages
I.18 Soviet AGS-17 Grenade Launcher
entry |44 pages
I.19 Soviet RPG-7 Antitank Grenade Launcher
entry |44 pages
I.20 Soviet RPG-18 Antitank Rocket Launcher
entry |44 pages
I.21 Soviet SPG-9 73mm Recoilless Gun
section II|10 pages
Foreign and U.S. Weapons Review
entry |10 pages
Foreign and U.S. Weapons Review Sheet
entry |10 pages
II.1 Foreign Handguns/Sidearms
entry |10 pages
II.2 Foreign Submachine Guns
entry |10 pages
II.3 Foreign Assault Rifles
entry |10 pages
II.4 Foreign Service Rifles
entry |10 pages
II.5 Foreign Machine Guns
entry |10 pages
II.6 Foreign Anti-Armor
entry |10 pages
II.7 Foreign Grenade Launchers
entry |10 pages
II.8 U.S. Service Pistols
entry |10 pages
II.9 U.S. Grenade Launchers
entry |10 pages
II.10 U.S. Assault Rifles
entry |10 pages
II.11 U.S. Service Rifles
entry |10 pages
II.12 U.S. Submachine Guns
entry |10 pages
II.13 U.S. Machine Guns
section III|6 pages
Selector Markings and Proofmarks
section IV|8 pages
Armor-Piercing Penetrators Found in the Persian Gulf/Middle East
section V|20 pages
Headstamps
entry |20 pages
V.27 8mm Mauser—Iranian, early
entry |20 pages
V.29 .303 Caliber—Iraq Republic
entry |20 pages
V.30 Kirkee Indian Arsenal
entry |20 pages
V.31 12 Gauge—Syrian
entry |20 pages
V.32 12.7mm—Unknown
entry |20 pages
V.33 .338—Swiss