X-ray mapping technique: a preliminary study in discriminating gunshot residue particles from aggregates of environmental occupational origin

Cardinetti, Bruno; Ciampini, Claudio; D’Onofrio, Carlo; Orlando, Giovanni; Gravina, Luciano; Ferrari, Francesco; Tullio, Donatello Di; Torresi, Luca

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.01.019

Cited by 52 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The UK Metropolitan Police have developed a categorisation system for gunshot residues, putting them in 35 different categories in accordance with their morphology and chemical composition. It is accepted that the chemical composition of GSR is a better indicator of its provenance than morphology [3], [5]. The technique of choice amongst police institutions for the analysis of GSR is scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) since the technique is widely available, relatively cheap and can be automated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Trace element profiling of gunshot residues by PIXE and SEM‐EDS: a feasibility study

2009

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We critically compare particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) on the ion microprobe with scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) for the characterisation of gunshot residues (GSR). Samples of gunshot residue from several different firearms were collected. Individual particles of GSR were analysed by SEM-EDS using a 30keV electron beam focussed to ~10nm and PIXE using a 2.5MeV proton beam focussed to ~4 microns. PIXE revealed trace or minor elements undetectable by SEM-EDS, and could discriminate GSR indistinguishable by SEM-EDS. Introduction In order to demonstrate that a suspect in a criminal investigation has fired a weapon, police authorities routinely take swabs from the clothing, skin and hair of the suspect and use electron microscopy to search for gunshot residue (GSR) particles on the swabs. These particles are condensation products of the high temperature, high pressure reactions that occur when a firearm is fired and are known to be deposited at the crime scene and on the shooter [1]. The particles are made up of material from the primer, bullet, bullet jacket, cartridge casing and the gun barrel, are spherical, and are of the order of a few microns in diameter. There are several types of particle that are characteristic of gunshot residue, including those containing Pb, Ba and Sb [2].

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus the absorption of the exiting X rays can be accurately calculated where there is no prior knowledge of the sample composition, or where it varies with depth. It is known that gunshot residue particles are often non-uniform in composition [3] and therefore fully quantitative analysis of such particles by SEM-EDS is difficult.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trace element profiling of gunshot residues by PIXE and SEM‐EDS: a feasibility study

2009

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“…However, the PIXE maps do not show any non-uniformity in the Pb L and Sb K signals. Additionally, it is known that Pb, having a significantly lower melting point than Sb and Ba, will often solidify as an outer shell in GSR particles [15]. The derived depth profile, in which the Pb signal increases with depth, is not consistent with this expected behaviour.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 79%

Characterisation of gunshot residue particles using self-consistent ion beam analysis

Bailey¹,

Jeynes²

2009

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B:

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“…Traditionally showing some misclassification of GSR identification with SEM-EDX, attention was placed firstly on the analysis of residues on used vehicle brake-linings [34]. Whilst anions were common to both GSR and lining residue, the absence of thiocyanate, cyanate and the unidentified anion (glycerate) in brake-pad residue showed that it was possible to distinguish components of GSR from this material.…”

Section: Interferences In Alternative Matrices Relevant To Gsr Analysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterisation of gunshot residue from three ammunition types using suppressed anion exchange chromatography

Gilchrist¹,

Jongekrijg²,

Harvey³

et al. 2012

Forensic Science International

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X-ray mapping technique: a preliminary study in discriminating gunshot residue particles from aggregates of environmental occupational origin

Cited by 52 publications

References 6 publications

Trace element profiling of gunshot residues by PIXE and SEM‐EDS: a feasibility study

Trace element profiling of gunshot residues by PIXE and SEM‐EDS: a feasibility study

Characterisation of gunshot residue particles using self-consistent ion beam analysis

Characterisation of gunshot residue from three ammunition types using suppressed anion exchange chromatography

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