Detection of Gunshot Residues Using Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

In recent years, forensic scientists have become increasingly interested in the detection and interpretation of organic gunshot residues (OGSR) due to the increasing use of lead- and heavy metal-free ammunition. This has also been prompted by the identification of gunshot residue- (GSR-) like particles in environmental and occupational samples. Various techniques have been investigated for their ability to detect OGSR. Mass spectrometry (MS) coupled to a chromatographic system is a powerful tool due to its high selectivity and sensitivity. Further, modern MS instruments can detect and identify a number of explosives and additives which may require different ionization techniques. Finally, MS has been applied to the analysis of both OGSR and inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR), although the “gold standard” for analysis is scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microscopy (SEM-EDX). This review presents an overview of the technical attributes of currently available MS and ionization techniques and their reported applications to GSR analysis.

Organic compositional analysis of propellant powders using monolithic material sorption extraction (MSSE)-a feasibility study

“…AKII is a stabiliser that may be used as an additive in propellant powder and is thus also associated with OGSR materials [21][22][23][24][25]. DPF has only been mentioned in conjunction with OGSR in the literature on a few occasions, but its function in propellant powder was not reported [26,27].…”

Recent trends in organic gunshot residue analysis

“…This seemingly indicates a general consensus on possible organic compounds associated with smokeless powders and gunshot residue. A list of compounds provided by Taudte et al [7] in 2014, concerning the organic compounds commonly used in the manufacturing of propellant powders and primers, contains approximately 60% of the compounds highlighted in the previous lists [2,6]. The most noteworthy compound, which is absent from the list, is nitrocellulose.…”

Aplicação Forense do Iodeto de Potássio: Um Novo Método Colorimétrico para Identificação de Resíduos de Disparos de Armas de Fogo

“…Os mais custosos e também de maior precisão são cromatografia líquida de ultra eficiência acoplada à espectroscopia ultravioleta (UHPLC-UV), microscopia eletrônica acoplada à espectroscopia de raios X por dispersão em energia, espectrometria de massas com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-MS) e espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma (ICP-OES) [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] .…”