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Gunshot residue

Gunshot residue (GSR) is one of the results of firing a gun. When a bullet leaves the barrel of a firearm, it is accompanied by gases that include both burned and unburned particles of gunpowder. It also includes traces of metal from the firearm, the ammunition and the primer including the signature components of gunshot residue: lead, barium and antimony.[1] GSR is usually found on the skin and clothing of the person who fired the gun.[2] It may also be found in the entrance wound of the victim.[3] This depends on how close the victim was to the gun when it was fired.

Forensic science of GSR

When a gun is fired, a plume of gas—including GSR particles—is ejected from the barrel and any other openings in the gun.[4] The gunshot residue is deposited on objects that are close to the fired gun including the gun itself.[4]

Crime scene specialists collect GSR from people and objects when there is reason to believe it may be there.[3] The collected samples are then taken to a laboratory where they are examined.[3] Forensic scientists can also use GSR residue to determine the distance between the barrel of the fired weapon and the target. The farther from the weapon the less the gunshot residue. Collection of GSR is time sensitive in many cases. After 4 to 8 hours it may wear off people's hands.[3] It can remain for longer periods on a dead body or other objects.[3] A number of advancements have been made in gunshot residue examinations in recent years.[5] One improvement is in the use of scanning electron microscopes.[5]

Recently, a test for finding GSR when the ammunition used was "green" or lead-free.[6] In the past lead was required to be in the sample to identify it as GSR.[6] Now a new test can identify GSR as small as a single particle.[6]

The presence of GSR

In addition to the person who fired a weapon, finding GSR can show:

  • A person was standing near the firearm when it was fired.[7]
  • A subject may have handled a firearm or ammunition.[7]
  • A subject may have touched a surface that had GSR.[7]

GSR may not be present for a number of reasons:

  • The subject did not fire the weapon.[7]
  • No GSR was found on the area selected for sampling.[7]
  • GSR was removed by washing or wiping hands or clothing.[7]
  • Samples were taken more than 4 hours after the shooting.[7]

Gunshot Residue Media

  • Gunshot residue from a pistol shot

  • A graphic representation of the GSR left on a target when fired upon from varying ranges.

  • Sodium rhodizonate lead test sticks

References

  1. ↑ Allison C. MurthaLinxian Wu (27 September 2012). "The Science Behind GSR: Separating Fact from Fiction". Forensic Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 December 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  2. ↑ "Examination of Gunshot Residue". The University of Utah, Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Gunshot Residue Collection". Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "A "Hands On" Approach to Understanding Gunshot Residue" (PDF). Under the Scope, Vol. 8, Issue 1, p. 65, Missouri State Highway Patrol. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Michael Trimpe (May 2011). "The Current Status of GSR Examinations". U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Crime Scene Investigations: Gunshot residue analysis on a single gunpowder particle". American Chemical Society. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 "Gunshot Residue (GSR) Collection" (PDF). California Department of Justice. Retrieved 20 January 2016.

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