Determining the lifetime of detectable amounts of gunshot residue on the hands of a shooter using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Matthew B Rosenberg; Christopher R Dockery

doi:10.1366/000370208786401473

Determining the lifetime of detectable amounts of gunshot residue on the hands of a shooter using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Appl Spectrosc. 2008 Nov;62(11):1238-41. doi: 10.1366/000370208786401473.

Authors

Matthew B Rosenberg¹, Christopher R Dockery

Affiliation

¹ Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144, USA.

PMID: 19007466
DOI: 10.1366/000370208786401473

Abstract

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used to determine the period of time that a shooter will test positive for gunshot residue (GSR) after firing a revolver. Multiple rounds of primer were fired and samples collected at multiple hour intervals using an adhesive tape pressed against the skin. Samples were analyzed directly using a commercially available laser-induced breakdown spectrometer where barium emission (originating from barium nitrate in the primer) was observed. Population statistics were used to compare suspected GSR to a library of blank samples from which a threshold value was established. Statistically significant results, positive for GSR, are obtained 5.27 days after a firearm discharge using these techniques.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Barium / isolation & purification
Firearms*
Forensic Ballistics / methods*
Forensic Medicine / methods*
Hand Injuries / pathology*
Humans
Skin / chemistry
Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / instrumentation
Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods*
Time Factors

Substances

Barium