Simple Method for Detection of Gunshot Residue Particles From Hands, Hair, Face, and Clothing Using Scanning Electron Microscopy/Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray (SEM/WDX)

• NCJ Number: 191459
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 830-834
• Author(s): Shigetoshi Kage Ph.D.; Keiko Kudo Ph.D.; Akiharu Kaizoji B.S.; Jun-ichi Ryumoto B.S.; Hideaki Ikeda B.S.; Noriaki Ikeda M.D.
• Editor(s): Michael A. Peat Ph.D.
• Date Published: July 2001
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examined the use of scanning electron microscopy/wavelength dispersive X-ray (SEM/WDX) in the detection of gunshot residue particles from hands, hair, face, and clothing.

Abstract

Gunshot residue (GSR) has been used in the identification and analysis of physical evidence of crime to determine whether or not a person had discharged a firearm. A simple and rapid method was devised to detect GSR particles. This article discussed the use of scanning electron microscopy/wavelength dispersive X-ray (SEM/WDX) in the detection of GSR particles obtained from hands, hair, face, and clothing. This method uses double-sided adhesive coated aluminum stubs (tape-lift method). Three steps were involved in SEM/WDX analyses for GSR: (1) a automatic map analysis of barium (Ba) to search for GSR particles from lead styphnate primed ammunition, or tin (Sn) for GSR particles from mercury fulminate primed ammunition; (2) determination of the location of GSR particles by X-ray imaging of Ba or Sn at a magnification of X1000-2000 in the SEM using data of map analysis; and (3) identification of GSR particles by their spectra generated from these WDX spectrometers. This method was seen as being easily applied to various types of GSR, using automatic map analysis of the main element of GSR particles. Graphs and references