What is a cartridge (firearms)?

• A. Cast-off
• B. Cartridge (firearms)
• C. Chain of Custody
• D. Contact wound

Answer: (B)

A cartridge in firearms terminology is the complete unit of ammunition designed to be fired from a gun. It includes the case (which holds everything together), the primer (the ignition cap), the propellant powder that provides the explosive force, and the projectile (the bullet) that is propelled out of the barrel. This term refers to the full package loaded into a chamber or magazine, not just the bullet itself.

This is different from cast-off (a blood-spatter term), chain of custody (how evidence is tracked), or a contact wound (a wound pattern from a firearm pressed against the skin). In forensic analysis, recognizing a cartridge helps determine the ammunition type and caliber, and informs how the firearm function and firing sequence may be reconstructed.