A forensic investigation on the persistence of organic gunshot residues

Maitre, Matthieu; Horder, Mark; Kirkbride, K. Paul; Gassner, Anne‐Laure; Weyermann, Céline; Roux, Claude; Beavis, Alison

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.08.036

Cited by 29 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…The collection of OGSR was performed with GSR stubs (Ted Pella Inc, USA). The thumb-forefinger region of the palm and back of the hand, as well as the wrist, were thoroughly sampled until the stub surface was no longer sticky [21][22][23]. Each hand was sampled using an individual stub with the collected specimens packaged separately by sealing with the cover and placed in their respective boxes.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These standards were used for identification of compounds and analytical method validation purposes, presented in a previous publication [21]. Additionally, a point calibration standard curve (0.01-1 ppm) was prepared and analysed with every run of specimens for quality control purposes Analysis of specimens was conducted per Maitre et al [21]. The method was validated using the ICH Guidelines [26], and found fit for OGSR qualitative analysis purposes.…”

Section: Analytical Method: Ogsr Standards and Uplc-qqq-ms Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(DPA) and N-nitrosodiphenylamine (N-nDPA) [19][20][21]. The methodology for both scenarios is presented in Figure 1.…”

Section: Diphenylaminementioning

confidence: 99%

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An investigation on the secondary transfer of organic gunshot residues

et al. 2019

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Gunshot residues (GSR) are an important forensic trace in firearm-related events. Currently, routine GSR analyses focus on the detection and characterisation of the inorganic components (IGSR). The increasing prevalence of heavy metal-free ammunition challenges these current protocols and there is significant interest in how the organic components of GSR (OGSR) can provide complementary information. OGSR compounds, originally deposited on the shooter during the firing process, may further be transferred onto another individual or surface, ultimately generating a pollution. Hence, the aim of this study was to provide additional information regarding the risk of a secondary transfer of OGSR. Two scenarios were investigated, the first one related to the arrest process and the possibilities of a secondary transfer arising between a shooter onto a non-shooter (e.g. between a police officer and a person of interest (POI)). The second scenario concerned the transfer of OGSR onto the non-shooter after handling a firearm for few minutes without discharging it. One calibre was chosen, the .40 S&W calibre, used by the Australian State Police Force involved in this study. A secondary transfer was observed in all cases for the two scenarios investigated, for three compounds of interest: ethylcentralite (EC), diphenylamine (DPA), Nnitrosodiphenylamine (N-nDPA). The firearm handling scenario resulted in a larger secondary transfer to that of the arrest scenario. Overall, the amounts of OGSR detected on the non-shooter were generally lower than that detected on the shooter and controls after the arrest scenario. The results of this study provide complementary knowledge about OGSR, which can be further used to improve the current practice and the interpretation of OGSR evidence. In particular, it highlights that the secondary transfer proposition must be considered during the interpretation, especially when small amounts of OGSR target compounds are detected.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Analytical Method: Ogsr Standards and Uplc-qqq-ms Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An investigation on the secondary transfer of organic gunshot residues

et al. 2019

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“…Empirical studies addressing the transfer and persistence of trace materials have developed since the early work of Pounds and Smalldon () (fibers), Brewster, Thorpe, Gettinby, and Caddy () and Hicks, Vanina, and Margot () (glass), and Morgan et al () and Bull, Morgan, Sagovsky, and Hughes () (general particulates). There is now a growing body of published work that addresses a wide range of different physical traces (Bitter, (smoke residues), Maitre et al, (GSRs), Palmer, Sheridan, Puckett, Richardson, & Lo, and Slot et al, (fibers), Levin, Morgan, Scott, & Jones, (diatoms), Morgan, Scott, Ainley, & Bull, (soils) Morgan, Flynn, et al, , and Morgan, Allen, King, & Bull, (pollen)).…”

Section: Understanding Trace Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crime reconstruction and the role of trace materials from crime scene to court

Morgan

Meakin

French

et al. 2019

WIREs Forensic Science

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Crime reconstruction takes place in a complex ecosystem and needs to be responsive to the context of each case. For accurate, reproducible and transparent crime reconstructions to take place, a holistic approach is needed that considers the different stakeholders, different types of trace material, integral human decision-making and interconnected nature of the forensic science process. For robust reconstruction, there needs to be a consideration of both the distinctive types of trace material that can contribute to the reconstruction, and an understanding of the interplay of human decision-making within reconstruction approaches. In addition, it is also necessary to consider source attribution of a trace material in addition to the activities that led to the generation, identification, transfer, and persistence of the trace. This requires explicit and tacit forms of knowledge, and an incorporation of the inherent uncertainty and risk in the reconstruction approach. The communication of conclusions reached in a crime reconstruction that address what the evidence means is also an important consideration given the different requirements of intelligence and evidence. Therefore, undertaking a crime reconstruction within a holistic framework that seeks to incorporate the complexity of the forensic science ecosystem is valuable for achieving a problem solving approach that offers reproducible, transparent reconstructions with a clear articulation of risk and uncertainty that can be of value to investigators and the courts.

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“…Thus, very sensitive analytical techniques are required. Recent OGSR forensic studies utilizing LC-MS analysis have demonstrated the detection of OGSR on the hands of a shooter up to four hours after discharge [28] and highlighted secondary transfer in several scenarios [29,30]. Currently, OGSR can be detected at the sub-picogram level, due to major improvements in MS sensitivities in the last decade.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of organic gunshot residues in police vehicles

Gassner

Weyermann

2020

Science & Justice

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The present study investigated the organic gunshot residue (OGSR) background level of police vehicles in Switzerland. Specimens from 64 vehicles belonging to two regional police services were collected and analysed by LC-MS in positive mode. The driver's and back seats were sampled separately to monitor potential differences between locations and to assess the risks of a suspect being contaminated by OGSR during transportation to a police station. The results showed that most of the 64 vehicles were uncontaminated (44 driver's seats and 38 back seats respectively). Up to six of the seven targeted compounds were detected in a single sample, once on a driver's seat and twice on back seats. The contamination frequency generally decreased as the number of compounds detected together increased. The amounts detected were in the low ng range and less than amounts generally detected just after discharge on a shooter. Our data indicated that detecting a combination of four or more compounds on a police vehicle seat appears to be a relatively rare occurrence. The background contamination observed was most probably due to secondary transfer from police officers (e.g. through recent participation in a shooting session or firearm manipulation) or from firearms stored in the vehicles. The present results might be used as a recommendation to minimize contact of a suspect with contaminated surfaces if OGSR is implemented in routine work in parallel to IGSR analysis.

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A forensic investigation on the persistence of organic gunshot residues

Cited by 29 publications

References 45 publications

An investigation on the secondary transfer of organic gunshot residues

An investigation on the secondary transfer of organic gunshot residues

Crime reconstruction and the role of trace materials from crime scene to court

Prevalence of organic gunshot residues in police vehicles

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