Chemometric classification of gunshot residues based on energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and inductively coupled plasma analysis with mass-spectrometric detection

A gunshot residue sample that was collected from an object or a suspected person is automatically searched for gunshot residue relevant particles. Particle data (such as size, morphology, position on the sample for manual relocation, etc.) as well as the corresponding X-ray spectra and images are stored. According to these data, particles are classified by the analysis-software into different groups: ‘gunshot residue characteristic’, ‘consistent with gunshot residue’ and environmental particles, respectively. Potential gunshot residue particles are manually checked and – if necessary – confirmed by the operating forensic scientist.     

Applications of synchrotron radiation in forensic trace evidence analysis

Synchrotron radiation sources have proven to be highly beneficial in many fields of research for the characterization of materials. However, only a very limited proportion of studies have been conducted by the forensic science community. This is an area in which the analytical benefits provided by synchrotron sources could prove to be very important. This review summarises the applications found for synchrotron radiation in a forensic trace evidence context as well as other areas of research that strive for similar analytical scrutiny and/or are applied to similar sample materials. The benefits of synchrotron radiation are discussed in relation to common infrared, X-ray fluorescence, tomographic and briefly, X-ray diffraction and scattering techniques. In addition, X-ray absorption fine structure analysis (incorporating XANES and EXAFS) is highlighted as an area in which significant contributions into the characterization of materials can be obtained. The implications of increased spatial resolution on microheterogeneity are also considered and discussed.     

Recent developments in methods of chemical analysis in investigations of firearm-related events

A review of recent (approximately the last ten years) developments in the methods used for chemical analysis in investigations of firearm-related events is provided. This review discusses:examination of gunshot (primer) residues (GSR) and gunpowder (propellant) residues on suspects and their clothing;detection of firearm imprints on the hands of suspects;identification of the bullet entry holes and estimation of shooting distance;linking weapons and/or fired ammunition to the gunshot entries, and estimation of the time since discharge.     

Nucleation in a gas‐solid state reaction

A nucleation in a reaction of a gas with a solid state where one of the products is solid (GSR‐S) has been discussed. It was pointed out that the phenomenon observed for nanopowders, i.e. nucleation in sequence of the crystallites sizes, should be valid in case of defected monocrystals. However in such a case the constituents of a monocrystal, i.e. mosaic domains separated by structural defects, should undergo phase transition in sequence of size or, in other words, the time needed for the initiation of a nucleus in the case of a small domain is shorter than in the case of big one. Finally the less defected the crystal is, the bigger domains are, and thus the longer nucleation time is needed.     

Forensic analysis of a single particle of partially burnt gunpowder by solid phase micro-extraction–gas chromatography-nitrogen phosphorus detector

Solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) was adopted to extract organic gun shot residues (OGSRs) from a single particle of partially burnt gunpowder. The partially burnt particle samples were collected from gun shot residue (GSR) deposited near the target areas. OGSRs, such as diphenylamine (DPA), methyl centralite (MC), ethyl centralite (EC), from only one single particle of partially burnt gunpowder were successfully extracted by SPME and analyzed by a gas chromatography coupled to a nitrogen phosphorus detector (GC-NPD). The results confirmed that the new extraction procedure is capable of extracting trace amount of MC and EC as signature molecules for the identification of GSR. The method represents a solvent-free extraction as a complementary analytical procedure for the forensic analysis of GSR-related evidences. The new extraction scheme with the capability of analyzing single particle of partially burnt gunpowder can also be applied to the identification of explosive residues, such as in post-blast investigations of improvised explosive devices.