Detection of Gunshot Residue (GSR) Particles on the Bottom of Discharged Bullets

• NCJ Number: 113155
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1988) Pages: 960-968
• Author(s): P Bergman; P Enzel; E Springer
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This study found that scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM/EDS) consistently detected gunshot residue (GSR) particles on the bottoms of discharged bullets.

Abstract

The examined bullets were collected from a firing range, where they were removed from sand traps and antifragment pads, and from cases received in a laboratory in routine work. The bottoms of the bullets were examined in three stages: without prior treatment, after treatment in an ultrasonic acetone bath, and the latter treatment with the addition of an evaporation coating with graphite. The bullets' bottoms were examined and analyzed using a Cambridge Scanning Co. Camscan III S scanning electron microscope equipped with a backscatter detector and a Tracor Northern TN 5500 X-ray analyzer. GSR particles were found on the bottoms of all the untreated, discharged bullets examined. These particles matched those of their respective cartridges, both in morphology and composition. Particles were detected even on those bullets that had been severely deformed on impact or subjected to other severe conditions. 1 table, 13 figures, 15 references. (Author abstract modified)