Molybdenum in Gunshot Residue: Experimental Evidences and Detection Challenges in the Presence of Lead and Sulfur

Nunziata, Felice; Romolo, Francesco Saverio; Burnett, Bryan R.; Manna, Luigi; Orsenigo, Stefano; Donghi, Matteo

doi:10.1017/s1431927621000453

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The origin of the molybdenum has been assumed to be the gun's barrel, made of steel containing molybdenum [ 21 ]. In a recent publication [ 22 ], Nunziata et al examined as a possible source of this element in IGSR molybdenum sulphide, used as a lubricant in weapons. This hypothesis was demonstrated by conducting various shootings and analysing the GSR produced during these tests.…”

Section: Inorganic Gsrmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpol Review of Gunshot Residue 2019 to 2021

Charles¹,

Geusens²,

Nys³

2023

Forensic Science International: Synergy

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Section: Inorganic Gsrmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpol Review of Gunshot Residue 2019 to 2021

Charles¹,

Geusens²,

Nys³

2023

Forensic Science International: Synergy

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“…When this approach is followed, the evidence increases its strength in linking the suspect with a specific crime when unusual elements are found. An example is the presence in GSR of selenium (114) or molybdenum (115) due to the use of lubricants in firearms.…”

Section: Gunshot Residuementioning

confidence: 99%

Surface Analysis Techniques in Forensic Science: Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities for Operational Deployment

Bailey

Puit

Romolo

2022

Annual Rev. Anal. Chem.

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Surface analysis techniques have rapidly evolved in the last decade. Some of these are already routinely used in forensics, such as for the detection of gunshot residue or for glass analysis. Some surface analysis approaches are attractive for their portability to the crime scene. Others can be very helpful in forensic laboratories owing to their high spatial resolution, analyte coverage, speed, and specificity. Despite this, many proposed applications of the techniques have not yet led to operational deployment. Here, we explore the application of these techniques to the most important traces commonly found in forensic casework. We highlight where there is potential to add value and outline the progress that is needed to achieve operational deployment. We consider within the scope of this review surface mass spectrometry, surface spectroscopy, and surface X-ray spectrometry. We show how these tools show great promise for the analysis of fingerprints, hair, drugs, explosives, and microtraces. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry Volume 15 is June 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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“…Particles of unusual compositions can indeed be created by crossing over of primer elements from the last round with those accumulated over time within the firearm [6,10]. This metallic reservoir is due to both internal deposits from previous rounds and external sources [8,11], such as lubricants or chemical treatments of the gun [12,13]. In such cases, the strength of IGSR evidence in trial would be enhanced by the simultaneous presence of the same contaminants in the elemental profiles of the residues found on the suspect and collected at the crime scene, according to a case-by-case approach [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pervasiveness of inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR) in handguns after cleaning and conditioning procedures

Donghi,

Orsenigo,

Manna

et al. 2024

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Memory effect in firearms that is, the possibility for a weapon to release inorganic particles whose elemental composition depends on its entire shooting history, is responsible for most of the interpretation difficulties encountered in forensic gunshot residue analysis. The presence of residues chemically inconsistent with the last discharged round, the creation of particles having unusual elemental profiles, and the dependence of residue population composition on the collection point are all manifestations of memory effect. The experimental results reported in this paper highlight the ineffectiveness of a wide number of gun cleaning procedures in reducing memory effect. Moreover, the common alternative of discharging batches of rounds having a “new” primer mixture does not fully eliminate the possibility to recover “old” residues at least from the shooter's hands. Two brand new pistols and ammunition having lead‐based, leadless and heavy metal free primers were used. Specimens, collected both from the shooters' hands and from cotton targets set nearby the gun muzzle, were analyzed by SEM‐EDS and by ICP‐OES. After discharging 10's of new ammunitions, the number of old residues ejected from the gun muzzle indeed showed an asymptotic decrease to zero. In spite of this, the number of old residues recovered from the shooter's hands did not follow any predictable trend. These different behaviors suggest that all internal components of a gun, and not just the barrel, play a role in memory effect.

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Molybdenum in Gunshot Residue: Experimental Evidences and Detection Challenges in the Presence of Lead and Sulfur

Abstract: Abstract

Cited by 8 publications

References 31 publications

Interpol Review of Gunshot Residue 2019 to 2021

Interpol Review of Gunshot Residue 2019 to 2021

Surface Analysis Techniques in Forensic Science: Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities for Operational Deployment

Pervasiveness of inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR) in handguns after cleaning and conditioning procedures

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