Forensic Ballistics and Casework in Armed Conflict Zones: Insights from Zamfara State

The prevalence of armed banditry in Zamfara State has generated significant quantities of firearm evidence, creating both a forensic challenge and an opportunity to improve ballistic investigation capacity in the North West geopolitical zone. This study examines forensic ballistic evidence in cases arising from armed conflict incidents in Zamfara State between 2021 and 2024. A descriptive case study design was used, reviewing thirty incident reports from the Zamfara State Police Command and the Nigerian Army, conducting interviews with eight ballistic technicians and forensic pathologists, and examining twenty firearm exhibits recovered at conflict scenes. The study evaluates bullet and cartridge case examination methodologies, tool mark analysis, and the use of ballistic evidence in military and civilian criminal proceedings. Findings indicate that ballistic evidence is systematically collected in only thirty-five percent of documented conflict scenes, largely due to the operational insecurity constraining scene access. Laboratory examination of recovered exhibits focuses primarily on physical identification rather than comparative analysis, limiting the scope of investigative conclusions. Recommendations include the deployment of mobile forensic units for conflict zone evidence collection and the establishment of a ballistic evidence database for Northwest Nigeria to support pattern-linking across incidents. Keywords: forensic ballistics, armed conflict, Zamfara State, cartridge case, ballistic evidence.