NCJ Number
225888
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 54 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2009 Pages: 60-68
Date Published
January 2009
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study identified particles from airbag gas generation systems and aluminum silicon microfibers of airbag filters that may be found on a suspect’s hands and/or clothing after being in an airbag-equipped vehicle during a crash.
Abstract
The study found that the collection of evidence samples for airbag residue could be easily done with commercially available kits for the collection of gunshot residue (GSR). Because of the nature of the particles in airbag residue, any research into GSR is also applicable to airbag residue. Airbag residue on a suspect’s clothing would indicate that the suspect was in the car at the time of the accident, although not necessarily the driver. Handling the suspect’s clothes or an excessive amount of time between the accident and sample collection may reduce airbag residue to the point of affecting the test results. Contamination issues should be considered during the collection of evidence samples. No one type of particle has been consistently identified in all airbag residue standards. Any particle detected in testing could possibly be found in some other environmental sample; however, some particles identified in airbag standards have limited sources beyond airbag construction. Alloys of copper and cobalt, which have limited uses, are often in airbags. Other elements common in airbag gas generation systems include zirconium and strontium. SEM can be used to identify aluminum silicon microfibers from airbag filters. Modification of the search criterion used for GSR analysis allows for automated analysis of the airbag samples. This article provides a case report in which one driver involved in a two-car crash left the scene and walked to her house a few blocks from the crash scene. She was later arrested, based largely on a match between samples of the deployed airbag in her car and particles present on her clothing. 23 figures, 1 table, and 12 references