Improved Method for Shooting Distance Estimation. Part 1. Bullet Holes in Clothing Items

Abstract

An improved method for firing distance estimation on clothing is described. The novel part of the method includes transfer of total nitrite (nitrite ions and smokeless powder residues) from the target to an adhesive lifter. After the transfer, lead and copper deposits around the bullet entrance hole are visualized by rhodizonate and rubeanic acid, respectively. The Modified Greiss Test is carried out after alkaline hydrolysis of the smokeless powder residues on the adhesive lifter.

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

“…However, in the literature on chemical safety data [67], N-(1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride is not reported as being carcinogenic. In fact, in Israel this reagent is used with sulfanilamide routinely for "the local" MGT [68]. The term MGT does not refer to one specific defined test, in fact it seems that every author who introduces any modification to the original Griess test calls it an MGT.…”

Recent Developments in the Methods of Estimating Shooting Distance

“…However, in the literature on the chemical safety data [10], N-(1-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride is not reported as a carcinogen. In fact, we are using this reagent with sulphanilamide routinely for "our" MGT [11,12,13,14]. MGT does not refer to one specific, defined test.…”

“…Glattstein et al reported on an improved method of determining shooting distance estimation from clothing [12]. The novel part of the method includes transferring total nitrite (nitrite ions and unburned smokeless powder residues) from the target to an adhesive lifter.…”

“…They found that the simulants that most closely represent the human skin are fresh pig skin, twill jean cloth, Whatman #1 blotter paper, and Whatman #10 Benchkote. Fresh pig skin was the most accurate overall simulant tested, while the twill jean and blotter paper were more accurate from 2 to 3 ft, and the Benchkote was more accurate at 3 to 4 ft. Glattstein et al [14] examined the feasibility of applying adhesive lifters to the entrance bullet wound on human body surfaces to visualize the total nitrite patterns, as was reported for clothing and other exhibits above [12,13]. Figs.…”

Is it possible to determine firearm calibre and shooting range from the examination of gunshot residue in close range gunshot wounds? An experimental study

“…In the matter of reconstruction of gunshot fatalities, the macroscopic examination of gunshot wounds as well as the investigation of GSR particles gains extensive forensic signifi cance (1,2). Physical and chemical investigations of fi rearm discharge residues are nowadays performed routinely in order to solve a number of forensic problems such as identifi cation of gunshot wounds together with establishing of the entrance and exit (3), estimation of the time since discharge of a fi rearm (4,5), distribution of GSR at the crime scene, estimation of shooting distance (6,7), as well as establishing whether a person has fi red a gun (8). Sensitive analytical methods are required for the identifi cation of inorganic gunshot residues that are usually presented in very small quantities on a substratum, and commonly used methods include atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), neutron activating analysis (NAA) (1) , X-ray fl uorescence spectrometry (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (9).…”