Certificate Course in Forensic Ballistics – A Practical Insight into Firearm Evidence

Certificate course in Forensic Ballistics, Faculty of Defence & Strategic Studies at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University

The Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies at KDU offers a specialized short-term program called the Certificate Course in Forensic Ballistics, which aims to familiarize learners with the theory and methods of firearm-related crime investigation. Covering both theoretical and practical components, the course provides a detailed understanding of ballistics, firearms operation, ammunition types, crime scene evidence collection, wound analysis, and the reconstruction of shooting incidents.

Through hands-on experience with live firings and real-world case examples, you can gain valuable insights into how ballistic evidence is gathered, analyzed, and presented in court. With sessions held exclusively on Saturdays over a three-month period, the course is ideal for working professionals in the legal, law enforcement, medical, and military fields, as well as for students pursuing related disciplines. It is taught by a globally recognized expert in forensic ballistics, ensuring a high standard of instruction and international relevance.

  • Duration : 3 months on Saturdays, starting from August 2025

  • Medium of Instructions : Mainly English but Sinhala will also be used depending on the participants’ preference.

  • Mode : On-Site

  • The course fee : The course fee is 45,000/.

Methods of Evaluation :

1. Two assignments on firearms/ ammunition and firearm evidence (60%).

2. One group presentation on firearm investigation cases (20%).

3. A field assessment at the range on crime scene reconstruction (20%).

Entry Qualifications

  • 3 passes in GCE A/L in any subject stream and A pass in GCE O/L English.

The course only applicable to,

  • Police officers

  • Legal professionals

  • Medical professionals

  • Prison officials

  • Custom and wildlife officers

  • Any officers associated with the criminal justice system

  • Criminology/ criminal justice graduates and final-year undergraduate students of Law,

  • Medicine and Criminal Justice

All participants must provide proof of their professional status/ studentship at the time of
registration). Any other professionals not mentioned above must obtain approval to follow the
course from the VC KDU, with the recommendation of DVC (Def & admin) and Dean FDSS.

Demonstrations/ Practicals

  • Location : Army Live Firing Range PANAGODA (1-2 days, based on the no of participants).

  • Transport : Free shuttle from KDU to the firing range and back.

  • Refreshments : Free tea and lunch provided at the firing range.

The demonstrations or practicals include live firing to understand firearms discharge, demonstration on GSR/bullet hole identification, soot patterns/ empty case ejection patterns, vehicle shooting investigations, bullet trajectory plotter software application and firearm wounds and interpretation using pig skins.

All participants who successfully complete the course will be awarded a certificate with five credits and to pass the course, 80% attendance at lectures and full participation in demonstrations/ practical sessions are mandated.

For more information and to apply, visit the official KDU website for the Certificate course in Forensic Ballistics.

Related News

img

The 6 Types of Teacher Reactions to AI

Which One Are You? And Which One Might You Become? The Skeptic — “It’s just hype… Nothing beats a real teacher.” Skeptical…

Read More
img

Last Day to Meet Top Australian Universities at Jeewa Australian Education Roadshow 2025 – Cinnamon Grand, Colombo

Today marks the final day of the Jeewa Australian Education Roadshow 2025, happening at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo from 12 PM to…

Read More
img

Mogo Media Academy Joins EDEX Mid-Year Expo 2025 as Platinum Sponsor

From L to R - Mr.Kayen Akeel Marketing Consultant - Mogo Media Academy | Ms. Madonna Joy Head of Academy  - Mogo…

Read More
img

The Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) partnered with EDEX Mid Expo 2025 as a Platinum Sponsor

From Left to Right - Mr. Indrakumar Kishore Kumar -Consultant, APIIT | Mr. Gamindu Hemachandra- ChiefAcademic Officer, APIIT | Mr. Mahinda Galagedera-Chairman,…

Read More
img

EDEX Returns with the Mid-Year Expo 2025

Empowering the Sri Lankan Youth with Higher Education Options, Career Guidance and Job Opportunities. EDEX, Sri Lanka’s oldest, largest and premier Education…

Read More

Courses