Journal Published Online: 01 January 1987
Volume 32, Issue 1

Use of Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (SEM-EDXA) in Identification of Foreign Material on Bullets

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

The authors report two cases in which examination of foreign material embedded in or adherent to bullets provided critical information in the reconstruction of a crime scene. Analysis of small particles by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) can be accomplished without destruction or injury of the particles. In one case, the detection and identification of mineral fragments embedded near the nose of a bullet provided conclusive evidence that the bullet had ricocheted from a fireplace before striking the victim. In the second case, analysis of particles from two bullets identified them as bone fragments, thus proving which shots fired from a police officer's gun had killed a suspected burglar. SEMEDXA has not been widely used to identify such material on bullets, but should be considered a potentially powerful tool in forensic science.

Author Information

DiMaio, VJM
Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, San Antonio, TX
Dana, SE
Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, San Antonio, TX
Taylor, WE
Southwestern Medical School (UTHSCD), Dallas, TX
Ondrusek, J
Southwestern Medical School (UTHSCD), Dallas, TX
Pages: 10
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: JFS12324J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12324J