A simple method for detection of gunshot residue particles from hands, hair, face, and clothing using scanning electron microscopy/wavelength dispersive X-ray (SEM/WDX)
Kage, S
Forensic chemist, technical examiner, technical examiner, and forensic chemist, respectively, Forensic Science Laboratory, Fukuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters, 7-7, Higashikoen, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 812-8576, Japan.

Kudo, K
Lecturer, guest researcher, and professor, respectively, Department of Forensic Pathology and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.

Kaizoji, A
Forensic chemist, technical examiner, technical examiner, and forensic chemist, respectively, Forensic Science Laboratory, Fukuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters, 7-7, Higashikoen, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 812-8576, Japan.

Ryumoto, J
Forensic chemist, technical examiner, technical examiner, and forensic chemist, respectively, Forensic Science Laboratory, Fukuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters, 7-7, Higashikoen, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 812-8576, Japan.

Ikeda, H
Foren. chem,tech'l exmr,tech'l exmr, & foren. chem, resp.,Foren. Sci Lab, Fuk. Pre. Pol. HQ,7-7,Higas.,Hak.,Fuk. 812-8576,Jap. Lect.,guest res., & prof.,resp.,Dept of Foren. Path. & Sci,Grad Sch of Med'l Sci,Kyu. Univ,3-1-1,Maid.,Hig.,Fuk. 812-8582,Jap.

Ikeda, N
Lecturer, guest researcher, and professor, respectively, Department of Forensic Pathology and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.


Abstract
We devised a simple and rapid method for detection of gunshot residue (GSR) particles, using scanning electron microscopy/wavelength dispersive X-ray (SEM/WDX) analysis. Experiments were done on samples containing GSR particles obtained from hands, hair, face, and clothing, using double-sided adhesive coated aluminum stubs (tape-lift method). SEM/WDX analyses for GSR were carried out in three steps; the first step was map analysis for barium (Ba) to search for GSR particles from lead styphnate primed ammunition, or tin (Sn) to search for GSR particles from mercury fulminate primed ammunition. The second step was determination of the location of GSR particles by X-ray imaging of Ba or Sn at a magnification of ×1000–2000 in the SEM, using data of map analysis, and the third step was identification of GSR particles, using WDX spectrometers. Analysis of samples from each primer of a stub took about 3 h. Practical applications were shown for utility of this method.

Keywords:
forensic science, gunshot residue, scanning electron microscope (SEM), wavelength dispersive X-ray analysis

Paper ID: JFS4640830

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Author Kage S, Kudo K, Kaizoji A, Ryumoto J, Ikeda H, Ikeda N Title A simple method for detection of gunshot residue particles from hands, hair, face, and clothing using scanning electron microscopy/wavelength dispersive X-ray (SEM/WDX) Symposium , Committee on