What is "ballistic fingerprinting"?

Ballistic fingerprinting refers to the unique markings that are created on a bullet or cartridge case when a firearm is discharged. Each firearm leaves distinctive impressions on the cartridge when it is fired, due to the specific characteristics of the barrel, firing pin, and other components. These markings can be used for forensic identification, helping to match a bullet to a specific firearm. This process is valuable in criminal investigations, as it aids law enforcement in linking firearms to crimes or individuals.

The other choices do not capture the essence of ballistic fingerprinting. Measuring bullet travel time relates to the physics of how bullets move, rather than the unique identification process. Techniques for improving shooting accuracy focus on the skills of the shooter and do not pertain to forensic matching. Lastly, calculating kinetic energy is a different aspect of ballistics that deals with the energy a bullet has, rather than the identification of that bullet. Therefore, the choice that accurately describes ballistic fingerprinting is the one centered on the unique markings for identification purposes.