NCJ Number
197323
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 47 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2002 Pages: 996-1001
Date Published
September 2002
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the findings of a comparison of smokeless powder additive compositional measurements conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the spring of 2000.
Abstract
Two commercial smokeless reloading powders -- 231, distributed by Winchester and manufactured by Primex Technologies, and Hi-Skor 700X, from IMR Powder Company -- were obtained in 1/2 lb or 1 lb canisters, which were combined to provide a total of approximately 1.8 kg of each powder. The two test materials were evaluated by an ultrasonic solvent extraction/capillary electrophoresis measurement technique. The 19 participants in this comparison represented a broad cross-section of laboratories interested in smokeless powder measurements. Generally, the laboratories had two primary goals with the smokeless powder compositional measurements; i.e., unequivocally identifying a questioned powder or residue sample as being smokeless powder; and using the pattern of components to categorize a questioned sample into subclasses, followed by additional evaluations to limit associations/exclusions to specific exemplar powder samples. The tests sought qualitative data on the presence of nitroglycerine (NG), diphenylamine (DPA), N-nitrodiphenylamine, and ethyl centralite (EC). Participating laboratories accurately identified the major additives of NG, DPA, and EC. Some disparity between laboratories was noted for the identification of minor stabilizers and stabilizer decomposition products. 4 tables and 13 references