NCJ Number
113142
Journal
Crime Laboratory Digest Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1988) Pages: 33-38
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes a method for determining the concentrations of six elements in bullet lead using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).
Abstract
Triplicate samples of approximately 120 mg of lead were removed from the interior of each bullet sample and analyzed for concentrations of silver (Ag), bismuth (Bi), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), antimony (Sb), and tin (Sn). With the analytical wavelengths and operating conditions used in this study, no interelement interferences were observed when the elements are present in the ranges typically found in bullet lead. A scanning monochromator with relatively good resolution permitted baseline measurements to be made and minimized most interferences. Nebulization effects were minimized by mathing lead and acid concentrations in samples and standards. The procedure produced results with good precision and agreement with neutron activation analysis results for Sb and Cu and for As in lead containing a high concentration of As. In addition, ICP-AES allows for determination of additional elements, Ag, Bi, and Sn. Data on the analytical and observed ranges for each of these elements and mean relative standard deviations of triplicates measurements from 50 bullets are included. 14 references.