ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 April 1981
Page Count: 11

Rapid Determination of Antimony, Barium, and Lead in Gunshot Residue Via Automated Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
Newton, JT
Chief chemist, Kentucky State Police Crime Lab, Ky

(Received 28 May 1980; accepted 5 September 1980)

Abstract

A rapid yet reliable method to detect the presence of antimony, barium, and lead in gunshot residue is employed to deal with the ever-increasing use of firearms in criminal cases. Since a reduction in analysis time and operator attention is realized, a more systematic approach can be used to deal with the significance of these three elements and their relation to gunshot residue. Residues are collected with cotton swabs and 5% nitric acid and are leached overnight in nitric acid. Enhanced reproducibility is also achieved when an automatic injector system is used instead of traditional manual pipet dispenser.

Keywords:
criminalistics, gunshot residues, spectroscopic analysis, antimony, barium, lead, flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy

Paper ID: JFS11363J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11363J
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