NCJ Number
59496
Date Published
Unknown
Length
13 pages
Annotation
TO ASSIST LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IN COLLECTING EXPLOSIVE AND GUNSHOT RESIDUE FOR FORENSIC EXAMINATION, THIS MANUAL PROVIDES GUIDELINES IN CONDUCTING EXPLOSIVE AND GUNSHOT RESIDUE TESTS.
Abstract
THE GUNSHOT RESIDUE TEST IS DESIGNED TO INDICATE IF AN INDIVIDUAL HAS RECENTLY FIRED OR HANDLED A WEAPON. SINCE GUNSHOT RESIDUE CAN BE REMOVED BY WASHING, IT IS IMPORTANT TO SWAB THE SUSPECT'S HANDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, CONDUCT THE TEST BEFORE FINGERPRITING, COVER THE SUSPECT'S HANDS WITH PLASTIC BAGS IN HOMICIDE OR SUICIDE CASES, AND SWAB THE CARTRIDGE CASE IN SITUATIONS INVOLVING .22 CALIBER AMMUNITION. MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE GUNSHOT RESIDUE TEST (PLASTIC DROPPING BOTTLE OF 5 PERCENT NITRIC ACID SOLUTION, PLASTIC GLOVES, LABELING MATERIALS, ETC.) CAN BE OBTAINED AT A DRUGSTORE, A LOCAL HOSPITAL, OR A LABORATORY SUPPLY HOUSE. STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED IN PREPARING TO SWAB THE SUSPECTED AREAS INCLUDE OBTAINING RESIDUE SPECIMENS FROM THE SUSPECT'S HANDS, THE CARTRIDGE CASE, AND THE GUN. THE EXPLOSIVE RESIDUE TEST TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE LONGER TIME THAT THE RESIDUE REMAINS ON THE SUSPECT OR OBJECT AS OPPOSED TO GUNSHOT RESIDUE. EXPLOSIVE RESIDUE CAN BE REMOVED BY REPEATED WASHINGS OR BY ROUTINE ACTIVITY. MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THIS TEST AND STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED ARE PROVIDED. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OF IMPORTANCE TO LABORATORY PERSONNEL ARE THE DATE AND TIME OF THE INCIDENT; TYPE OF FIREARM OR BOMB, IF KNOWN; DATE AND TIME OF SWAB TEST, ETC. GUIDELINES REGARDING PACKAGING AND TRANSMITTAL OF EXPLOSIVE OR GUNSHOT RESIDUE TO FORENSIC LABORATORIES ARE PROVIDED, AS WELL AS A LIST OF AREAS IN WHICH TO LOOK FOR EXPLOSIVE RESIDUES. LABORATORIES RECEIVING EVIDENCE OF EXPLOSIVE AND GUNSHOT RESIDUE ARE LISTED, AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)