A new ammunition for forensic needs: FIOCCHI-RIS

Molybdenum in Gunshot Residue: Experimental Evidences and Detection Challenges in the Presence of Lead and Sulfur

“…Discharged 9 × 19 mm ammunitions, by Fiocchi Munizioni Spa (Lecco, Italy), incorporated a primer whose commercial name is FIOCCHI-RIS. This primer mixture, intended for law-enforcement-use-only, is produced by adding samarium and titanium oxides to a basic heavy metal-free (HMF) primer composition (Donghi et al, 2019). Neither MoS 2 lubricants nor FIOCCHI-RIS ammunitions had been used before within the chosen firearm.…”

“…Case-specific known sources of GSR from the crime scene can be used for forensic interpretation of SEM/EDS results (Romolo & Margot, 2001; ASTM E1588, 2020). This approach is particularly useful when GSR contains unusual elements, such as chromium (Kazimirov et al, 2006), fluorine (Laflèche et al, 2018), samarium (Donghi et al, 2019), or selenium (Romolo et al, 2017).…”

Interpol Review of Gunshot Residue 2019 to 2021

“…These ammunition meet the criteria outlined in the “Technical Guideline for Cartridge 9 mm x 19, pollution reduced” [ 52 ]. Donghi et al now report on a new ammunition developed by FIOCCHI, which according to their analysis, also meets this guideline [ 53 ]. While copper is also present in the primer, the rare-earth tracer used this time is samarium, resulting in SmKSiTiCaAl-rich particles.…”

The relevance of gunshot residues in forensic science

“…As a result, “heavy metal‐free” primer or ammunition (e.g., Sintox®, Action 4, PEP II) were developed using less toxic elements such as diazole (primary explosive), zinc peroxides, and titanium chlorides (pyrotechnic system) instead of lead, barium, and antimony, leading to the production of different consistent particles such as TiZn and Sr (Charpentier & Desrochers, 2000; Gunaratnam & Himberg, 1994; Oommen & Pierce, 2006). Some police services also use modified heavy‐metal free ammunition containing tagging elements 2 such as gadolinium, gallium, and samarium (Donghi et al, 2019; Niewoehner et al, 2006). Glass powder is also added to the primer mixture as a fractionator.…”