HYDERABAD: For someone who has never used a pistol, it would be difficult to know how to release the safety lock, a ballistics expert from CFSL told the SC-appointed panel inquiring into the alleged encounter of four accused in Disha rape and murder of 2019.
Ballistics experts from CFSL and Telangana State FSL deposed before the panel on Friday.
The police has claimed that two accused — C Chennakeshavulu and Md Arif — snatched 9mm pistol from cops and fired, resulting in their deaths in firing from cops. Commission’s advocate K Prameshwar and panel members posed multiple questions to NB Bardhan, former director of ballistics at CFSL (CBI), about 9 mm pistol, AK-47 and SLR used in the alleged encounter.
“If a person has never handled a pistol, he will not be able to identify the safety knob,” Bardhan said.
On how gunshot residue (GSR) can be manipulated, Bardhan said it could be found in a dead man’s hand if weapon was placed and fired before rigor mortis. GSR could also be found if anyone rubbed his hands on a dead man’s hand immediately after firing a weapon.
He also confirmed that blackening of entry wounds from an AK-47 or SLR round happened when fired from less than two feet, while tattooing occurred if firing distance was about 6-8 feet.
He, however, said that they could not given any opinion on swabs as the state FSL had already done tests and it was not possible to repeat them. Bardhan stated that once fired, spent cartridge of a 9 mm pistol would fall about 4-5 feet to the right, while it would fall 6-8 feet to the right for AK-47 and SLR. The bullets of AK-47 and SLRs could easily be distinguished as the size of bullet/ spent shell as well as material was different, he said.
Telangana State Forensic Science Laboratory assistant director (ballistics) Dr V Venkateshwarulu told the panel that cotton swabs from left hand of Chennakeshavulu tested negative for GSR. While one left hand sample of Arif tested positive and another negative, probably due to different collection methods.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
