Citation

López-López M, Delgado JJ, Garcia-Ruiz C. Anal. Chem. 2012; 84(8): 3581-3585.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, American Chemical Society)

DOI

10.1021/ac203237w

PMID

22424274

Abstract

The ability to unequivocally identify a gunshot residue (GSR) when a firearm is discharged is a very important and crucial part in crime scene investigation. To date, the great majority of the analyses are focused on the inorganic components of gunshot GSR, but the introduction of "lead-free" or "nontoxic" ammunitions makes difficult to prevent false negatives. This study introduces a fast methodology for the organic analysis of GSR using Raman spectroscopy. Six different types of ammunition were fired at short distances into cloth targets, and the Raman spectra produced by the GSR were measured and compared with the spectra from the unfired gunpowder ammunition. GSR spectrum shows high similarity with the spectrum of the unfired ammunition, allowing studying traceability from GSR to the ammunition used. Additionally other substances that might be found on the victim, shooter or suspect clothes and might be confused with GSR like sand, dried blood or black ink from a common ballpoint pen, were analyzed to test the screening capability of the Raman technique. Results obtained evidenced that Raman spectroscopy is an useful screening tool when fast analysis is desired and little sample preparation is required for the analysis of GSR evidence.

Language: en