Methods for Analysis of Glass in Glass-Containing Gunshot Residue (gGSR) Particles (original) (raw)
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Glass-containing gunshot residue particles: a new type of highly characteristic particle?
Journal of forensic sciences, 2003
In 0.22 caliber rimfire ammunition, the primer often contains lead or lead and barium compounds. As residues from these primers do not contain lead, barium, and antimony, they cannot be uniquely classified as gunshot residue (GSR) under ASTM designation E 1588-95. In many types of 0.22 caliber rimfire ammunition, the cartridge contains a primer sensitized with glass. In this paper we describe a previously unreported type of GSR particle consisting of glass fused with other primer components. As there appear to be few potential environmental or occupational sources of particles composed of lead and barium compounds fused to glass, particularly borosilicate glass, these particles may have high evidential value. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray detection (SEM-EDX) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) were evaluated for the characterization of glass-containing GSR particles. The occurrence of glass-containing GSR particles was establishe...
Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2015
In this study, chemical composition and morphology of gunshot residue (GSR) of 9 9 19 mm Parabellum-type MKE (Turkey)-brand ammunition were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. GSR samples were collected by "swab" technique from the shooter's right hand immediately after shooting. According to general principles of thermodynamics, it is likely that the structures will have a more regular (homogeneous) spherical form to minimize their surface area due to very high temperatures and pressures that occur during explosion. Studied samples were collected under the same conditions with the same original ammunition, from the same firearm and a single shooter. This is because many other variables may affect size, structure, and composition in addition to the concentrations of elements of the structure. Results indicated that the chemical compositions are effective in the formation of GSR morphological structures.
Forensic Science International
Recent work in the forensic analysis of Gunshot Residues (GSR) has suggested that the subsurface or internal composition and morphology of these residues be explored. A particular area of interest is in heavy metal free, or non-toxic ammunition, which are becoming more frequently encountered in the marketplace. As the formulation of the primer compound changes the conditions of the firearm discharge, there is the possibility that different primer formulations may result in the formation of different GSR particles with distinct internal morphologies and compositions. To that end, the internal morphology and composition of GSR particles may provide additional information that could be useful in the investigation of firearms crime. This research investigated the internal morphology of GSR originating from a variety of different ammunition products. Both traditional three-component primed ammunition, and a selection of heavy metal free and non-toxic alternatives were considered. Particles were
Identification of gunshot residue: a critical review
2001
A review of the scienti®c papers published on inorganic gunshot residue (GSR) analysis permits to study how the particle analysis has shown its capability in detection and identi®cation of gunshot residue. The scanning electron microscope can be the most powerful tool for forensic scientists to determine the proximity to a discharging ®rearm and/or the contact with a surface exposed to GSR. Particle analysis can identify individual gunshot residue particles through both morphological and elemental characteristics. When particles are detected on the collected sample, the analytical results can be interpreted following rules of a formal general interpretative system, to determine whether they come from the explosion of a primer or from other possible sources. The particles on the sample are compared with an abstract idea of``unique'' GSR particle produced by the sole source of the explosion of a primer.``Uniqueness'' is not the only problem related to GSR detection and identi®cation for a forensic scientist. With``not-unique'' particles interpretation of results is extremely important. The evidential strength of``not-unique'' particles can increase with a more fruitful interpretative framework based on Bayes rule. For the assessment of the value of a GSR in linking a suspect and a crime, it is important to compare two hypothesis: the ®rst can be that of the evidence if the suspect has been shooting in a speci®c situation, the second that of the evidence if the suspect was not involved in this shooting. This case speci®c or case-by-case approach is closer to what the court is interested in. The authors consider that a``case-by-case'' approach should be followed whenever possible. Research of models and data such as those developed in other trace evidence material (®bres, glass, etc.) using a Bayesian approach is suggested in the interpretation of GSR.
International Journal of Legal Medicine, 2020
The aim of this work was to characterise three non-toxic ammunition (NTA) from the GECO and Fiocchi brands, which are available in the Italian market. Characterisation was carried out by considering both the elemental chemical composition and morphology, using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS). Particles were collected from both the cartridge cases and the shooters' hands after shooting tests. Six volunteers fired two shots for each ammunition. Several elements, such as aluminium, potassium, silicon, sulphur, titanium and zinc were found in gunshot residue (GSR) particles from different ammunition. We also studied the persistence of these types of GSR on the hands of the shooters in a range between 1 and 6 h after shooting. The GSR particles from the three NTA tested were found on the hands of shooters until 6 h after the shots. The characterisations undertaken in this work will be useful for specialists in forensic science and legal medicine to evaluate trace evidence from these new NTA in casework, as such formulations are in growth.
BioMed Research International, 2014
Chosen aspects of examinations of inorganic gunshot particles by means of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry technique are presented. The research methodology of particles was worked out, which included a precise and repeatable procedure of the automatic detection and identification of particles as well as the representation of the obtained analytical data in the form of the frequencies of occurrence of particles of certain chemical or morphological class within the whole population of particles revealed in a specimen. On this basis, there were established relationships between the chemical and morphological properties of populations of particles and factors, such as the type of ammunition, the distance from the gun muzzle to the target, the type of a substrate the particles sediment on, and the time between shooting and collecting the specimens. Each of these aspects of examinations of particles revealed a great potential of being utilised in casework, while establishing various circumstances of shooting incidents leads to the reconstruction of the course of the studied incident.