GSR2005—Continuity of the ENFSI Proficiency Test on Identification of GSR by SEM/EDX

Abstract

Within the framework of the ENFSI Expert Working Group "Firearms" a proficiency test on the detection and identification of GSR by energy-dispersive scanning electron microanalysis (SEM/EDX) is carried out in a 2 years term. The latest test was performed in 2005/2006 and was denoted as GSR2005. Seventy-five laboratories from 28 countries participated in this proficiency test and submitted in total 83 independent data-sets. The participating laboratories were requested to determine the total number of PbSbBa containing particles on a synthetic test sample following their own laboratory specific methods of automated GSR particle search and detection by SEM/EDX. Furthermore size and position of the detected particles had to be reported by the laboratories and were evaluated statistically. The results were compiled by means of z-scores according to the IUPAC and EURACHEM guidelines-assessing individual laboratory achievements (inter-laboratory) as well as intra-laboratory performance-and were compared to the results of the previous proficiency test run GSR2003 (1). The comparison shows that there is a noticeable improvement in the method's detection capability.

Variation of the chemical contents and morphology of gunshot residue in the surroundings of the shooting pistol as a potential contribution to a shooting incidence reconstruction

“…Automation of the analytical process of GSR examinations with this method was successfully solved helping an operator in the arduous process of location and chemical classification of particles [7]. Contemporary SEM-EDX systems are able to detect submicron particles and the quality of their performance in GSR search can be measured by means of artificial test sample fulfilling the requirements of standards ISO 5725 and ISO 13528 [8].…”

Distribution and properties of gunshot residue originating from a Luger 9mm ammunition in the vicinity of the shooting gun

“…One of the important studies concerning the quality of an expertise in the field of GSR examinations by means of SEM-EDX focuses on proficiency testing aiming at the precision and sensitivity of the analytical instrumentation. A great progress was recently achieved in the development of identical artificial GSR test samples fulfilling the requirements of standards ISO 5725 and ISO 13528 [1,2].…”

Química forense: perspectivas sobre novos métodos analíticos aplicados à documentoscopia, balística e drogas de abuso

“…Atualmente, a análise dos GSR inorgânicos (análise morfológica de partículas contendo simultâneamente Pb/Sb/Ba) é feita por microscopia eletrônica de varredura com detector de energia de dispersão de raios X (SEM/EDX), justificando o grande número de trabalhos existentes, (Figuras 1a-b). [25][26][27][28][29][30] Em 1998, a Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos (CBC) lançou no mercado internacional uma munição denominada CleanRange ® , uma completa inovação em relação às munições anteriormente produzidas. Além de não apresentar metais pesados na composição da espoleta, os projéteis são encamisados totalmente para evitar a evaporação de Pb oriundo do núcleo do projetil.…”