Citation

Udey RN, Hunter BC, Smith RW. J. Forensic Sci. 2011; 56(5): 1268-1276.

Affiliation

Forensic Science Program, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, 560 Baker Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824. Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824. Genesee County Medical Examiner's Office, 630 S Saginaw St., Flint, MI 48502.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01836.x

PMID

21777243

Abstract

  Porcine tissue samples shot with two different types of bullets, jacketed and nonjacketed, were collected in the fresh state and throughout moderate decomposition. Wound samples were microwave-digested and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to detect all elements present at measurable levels in gunshot residue (GSR). Elements detected included antimony (Sb), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb), which are considered characteristic of GSR, as well as iron (Fe) and copper (Cu). These five elements were used to differentiate shot tissue and unshot tissue, as well as tissue shot by the two different bullet types, both in the fresh state and throughout moderate decomposition. The concentrations of Cu, Sb, and Pb were able to distinguish the two bullet types in fresh tissue samples at the 95% confidence level. Cu and Pb were able to differentiate the bullet types throughout moderate decomposition at the 99% confidence level.

Language: en