NCJ Number
188953
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2001 Pages: 495-501
Date Published
May 2001
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a novel method to detect gunshot residue.
Abstract
Components of a double-based smokeless powder were separated using an HPLC system with UV detection at 223 nm. The result indicated the presence of two organic ingredients, not including nitrocellulose because it has no evidential value in the HPLC-UV trace of the smokeless powder sample. By matching retention times of the two compounds with those of the five standards occurring in smokeless powder, the compounds were tentatively identified as methyl centralite (MC) and nitroglycerin (NG). The two compounds were finally identified by using MS spectrum. This MS-MS method was developed to detect MC because MC is less commonly found in the environment than NG. In Chinese ammunition, MC is widely used as a stabilizer. Sixteen samples were used to evaluate the reliability of the method. Sampling hands over a 24-hour period showed that gunshot residue (GSR) could be detected even after 8 hours with a 75 percent decrease in the level of MC. This method can detect GSR on a shooter's hand even after three washings. Finally, even if a shooter wears gloves while firing a weapon, MC on the gloves can be easily detected using this method. Figures, tables, references