Advances and Challenges in Forensic Ballistics in Firearm-Related Homicide Investigations in Ecuador: A Multidisciplinary Perspective

This study addresses the evolution and significance of forensic ballistics, highlighting its role in solving violent crimes, particularly in the context of the increasing homicide rates in Ecuador. Throughout the work, the methodological and scientific foundations underpinning forensic ballistics are examined, linking it to legal medicine and forensic traumatology. Recent technological advancements in this field, such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), 3D crime scene reconstruction software, and shooting pattern analysis, are discussed, demonstrating how they have enhanced accuracy and efficiency in criminal investigations. Additionally, a bibliometric and bibliographic analysis is conducted, revealing thematic evolution and international collaboration in the field of forensic ballistics. The results underscore the importance of this discipline in identifying weapons and projectiles, determining the shooter’s position, and analyzing the crime scene, which are essential elements for the administration of justice and public health in Ecuador