ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 November 2003
Page Count: 6

A New Method for Collection and Identification of Gunshot Residues from the Hands of Shooters
(Received 12 July 2003; accepted 8 July 2003)

Abstract

This work presents a novel collection method for gunshot residues (GSR) using a sampling procedure based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution as a complexing agent on moistened swabs. Detection was via a sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HRICP-MS). The proposed collection and analytical method allowed detection of antimony (Sb), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb) after .38 shot tests, at detection limits of less than 1 µg L^-1 in four different areas of the hands of volunteers. This paper includes a discussion concerning hand areas near the thumb and forefinger as being more suitable for GSR collection as well as a comparison between differences observed using 2% diluted EDTA, 2% nitric acid solution, and simple deionized water as collecting solutions, proving the superior efficiency of EDTA in GSR recoveries.

Keywords:
forensic science, gunshot residues, collection, barium, lead, antimony, ductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Paper ID: JFS2002441
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2002441
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