Summary of the FBI Laboratory’s Gunshot Residue Symposium, May 31–June 3, 2005

• NCJ Number: 218449
• Author(s): Diana M. Wright; Michael A. Trimpe
• Date Published: July 2006
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: US Dept of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Guideline; Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From Forensic Science Communications, N 3, V 8, July 2006; downloaded May 15, 2007.

Annotation

This paper summarizes the topics discussed and the general guidelines approved by participants at a 4-day symposium hosted by the FBI Laboratory in 2005 for the purpose of discussing formal guidelines for analyzing and reporting on gunshot-residue (GSR) evidence.

Abstract

There was agreement among attendees that the GSR community needs general guidelines on the policy for accepting GSR cases, the criteria for reporting a positive GSR result, and the importance of both elemental composition and morphology (form and structure) in defining the presence of GSR. Attendees agreed that GSR originates in part from the firearm, the cartridge case, and the bullet, with most of the inorganic residue coming from the primer. Most agreed that despite the combination of potential sources that could contribute to the formation of detectable residues, the best term to describe these particles is "gunshot residue" rather than such terms as "primer residue" or "cartridge discharge residue." The majority of attendees indicated that when two-component particles are identified in the absence of three-component particles, they would indicate the presence of these particles in their laboratory reports. Almost all participants indicated that particle morphology, elemental composition, and a comparison of any known residue from ammunition involved in the case should be considered when categorizing particles as GSR. All participants agreed that GSR sampling should be done at the scene where possible and as quickly as possible. It was widely agreed that the average person who was not exposed to firearms or ammunition or its components would not have GSR particles on their hands. Other issues addressed in this summary of the symposium are case-acceptance criteria, the testing of victims and suspected suicides, testing clothing, "instant shooter" identification kits, significance and report writing, technical review, and proficiency testing. 33 references and appended list of symposium attendees