scholarly journals Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis for Chemical and Morphological Characterisation of the Inorganic Component of Gunshot Residue: Selected Problems

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuzanna Brożek-Mucha
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Analytical Data ◽  
Gunshot Residue ◽  
Morphological Properties ◽  
Inorganic Component ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Detection And Identification ◽  
Spectrometry Technique ◽  
Scanning Electron

Chosen aspects of examinations of inorganic gunshot particles by means of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry technique are presented. The research methodology of particles was worked out, which included a precise and repeatable procedure of the automatic detection and identification of particles as well as the representation of the obtained analytical data in the form of the frequencies of occurrence of particles of certain chemical or morphological class within the whole population of particles revealed in a specimen. On this basis, there were established relationships between the chemical and morphological properties of populations of particles and factors, such as the type of ammunition, the distance from the gun muzzle to the target, the type of a substrate the particles sediment on, and the time between shooting and collecting the specimens. Each of these aspects of examinations of particles revealed a great potential of being utilised in casework, while establishing various circumstances of shooting incidents leads to the reconstruction of the course of the studied incident.

Chemical and Morphological Study of Gunshot Residue Persisting on the Shooter by Means of Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 972-982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuzanna Brożek-Mucha
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Energy Dispersive ◽  
Gunshot Residue ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Irregular Shapes ◽  
The Face ◽  
Scanning Electron

AbstractPersistence of gunshot residue (GSR) simultaneously collected from hands, face and hair, and clothing of the shooting person was examined. Samples were collected from five shooters in nine time intervals after a single shoot with a Luger 9 mm pistol, in the range of 0–4 h and examined with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Numbers of particles, frequencies of occurrence of certain compositions of particles, and their sizes in function of the time intervals were inspected. The greatest numbers of particles were observed in samples collected from hands right after shooting, but they decrease quickly with time. In samples collected from the face smaller initial numbers of particles were found, but they lasted at a similar level longer. The estimated half-life times of particles were less than 1 h for samples taken from the hands, over 1 h for clothing and about 2–3 h for the face. In samples collected at longer intervals after shooting, there were particles present of small sizes and irregular shapes. The results demonstrate that including evidence collected from the suspect's face and hair may increase the probability of detection of GSR in cases when the suspect has not been apprehended immediately after the investigated incident.

Validation of the expert methodology «Detection of condensed traces of the gunshot residue containing heavy metal compounds on various objects by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis»

2021 ◽  
Vol 87 (12) ◽  
pp. 63-72
Author(s):  
S. A. Smirnova ◽  
I. B. Afanasyev ◽  
G. I. Bebeshko ◽  
G. G. Omel’yanyuk
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Standard Sample ◽  
Gunshot Residue ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Metal Compounds ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Scanning Electron

We present and discuss the results of the validation of a forensic qualitative testing technique which consists in the detection of condensed traces of the gunshot residue (GSR) in the form of individual microparticles on the objects under study and their identification by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) using a scanning electron microscope Mira III (Tescan, Czech Republic) equipped with a system of X-ray microanalysis INCA GSR 450 (Oxford Nanoanalysis, Great Britain). The procedure for detecting GSR particles containing heavy metal compounds, systems of their classification and interpretation of test results are described. The suitability of the methodology for solving forensic problems has been confirmed. The validation procedure consists in assessing the reliability by comparing the test results obtained by experts (A and B) in two laboratories at different times using the same device, and in confirming the competence of experts proceeding from the results of blind tests. A standard sample ENFSI GSR PT 2018 A-03-07 is used. Each of the experts determined the number of particles classified as GSR present in control samples taken in a ballistic laboratory during a full-scale experiment: from the hands of the shooter; from the hands of a person who did not shoot; without microparticles (clean stage of an electron microscope). The reliability of the technique is characterized by the index (probability) of correct results of detecting GSR particles in the standard sample of at least 95.8% and by a small proportion of false results (no more than 5.4%). The competence of the experts is proved by the consistent results of «blind» testing of control full-scale samples, containing and not containing GSR particles obtained in different laboratories. The results of the validation indicate the suitability of the method for obtaining reliable and valid information about the presence of GSR particles on the objects under study.

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