Gunshot residue contamination of the hands of police officers following start-of-shift handling of their firearm

Cook, Michael

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.11.002

Cited by 24 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…whereas the handgrip of the revolver was clean with only two positives close to the LOD in 36 specimens (see figure in SI). However, as the stub is rigid, there was no contact with the valleys of the textured handgrip and the actual level of contamination of that part of the grip could not be assessed [29]. When a person holds a firearm, the skin can stretch and be in contact with the valleys.…”

Section: Firearm Displacement (Scenario 1)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Secondary transfer of organic gunshot residues: Empirical data to assist the evaluation of three scenarios

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The present study aimed at providing data to assess the secondary transfer of organic gunshot residues (OGSR). Three scenarios were evaluated in controlled conditions, namely displacing a firearm from point A to point B, a simple handshake and an arrest involving handcuffing on the ground. Specimens were collected from the firearm, the hands of the shooter and the non-shooter undergoing the secondary transfer in order to compare the amounts detected. Secondary transfer was observed for the three scenarios, but to a different extent. It was found that displacing a firearm resulted in secondary transfer in less than 50% of the experiments. The firearm also had an influence, as contrary to the pistol, no secondary OGSR were detected using the revolver. Shaking the hand of the shooter also transferred OGSR to the non-shooter's hand. In that case, the amount of OGSR was generally higher on the shooter than on the non-shooter. Finally, the largest secondary transfer was observed after the arrest with handcuffing with positive results in all cases using the pistol. In that scenario, the amounts on the shooter and the non-shooter were in the same range. This study highlights that the secondary transfer must be taken into account in the interpretation of OGSR. Indeed, an individual's hands might be contaminated by handling a firearm or having physical contact with a shooter.

show abstract

Section: Firearm Displacement (Scenario 1)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Secondary transfer of organic gunshot residues: Empirical data to assist the evaluation of three scenarios

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The literature seems to be rich in terms of common areas of sampling such as face, hands, hair, and clothes for GSR detection [17][18][19][20]. Besides, a study regarding GSR analysis on ear area, compared ear results with the nostril in terms of GSR stability [21].…”

Section: Re Sults and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ear as an alternative sampling site for GSR analysis following shotgun discharge

Akçan

Demircioglu

Aydoğan

et al. 2021

Journal of Forensic Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

When a gun is fired, a number of particles and gases, which are called gunshot residue (GSR), are released. Detection of GSR particles, as an important step to solve a case, potentially indicates that a person fired a gun or somehow involved the shooting event in a close distance to discharged gun [1,2]. GSR particles consist of a combination of lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), and barium (Ba), and other elements may accompany this characteristic structure [3].Various methods are utilized in GSR analysis, which can be detected frequently on individuals' body parts, especially in the hand and around the gun. SEM/EDX is the leading method with its specificity in evaluating the morphological and analytical properties of GSR and is currently considered as the gold standard [4]. During last

show abstract

“…This fragile GSR evidence has been detected one to three hours after being deposited on the skin and after several months when deposited on clothing. It can be easily destroyed by washing hands or undergoing physical contact with another object [4]. Due to the fragile nature of GSR, along with its highest concentrations being on a shooter's hands and clothing, it should be collected from these areas quickly to prevent its destruction.…”

Section: Properties Collection and Analysis Of Gsr Particlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noninvasive, visual examination for the presence of gunshot residue on human skin

Husak¹

2021

Journal of Forensic Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

When a firearm is discharged, the highest concentration of gunshot residue (GSR) is located on a shooter's hands, forearms, and clothing. Currently, collecting GSR from an individual's hands is accomplished with a carbon disk that is submitted for confirmatory analysis in a forensic laboratory. Presumptive chemical tests can be performed in the field, but these tests consume a portion of the GSR particles leaving a reduced amount of evidence available to be collected and sent to a forensic laboratory. An abundance of research exists for detecting GSR particles instantly on different fabrics using an alternate light source (ALS). This study expanded on that research and developed a noninvasive, visual examination to detect GSR on a suspected shooter's hands without destroying or removing any particles prior to collection. The hands of individuals who recently discharged a firearm were examined under a light source between 475 and 530 nm and an infrared (IR) camera. The fluorescent particles observed on a shooter's hands under 520 nm were similar in size and appearance to GSR particles observed on fabrics under an ALS. The fluorescent particles were collected and analyzed for GSR, and the results indicated that GSR particles were present. More testing needs to be conducted to determine if the fluorescent particles observed are inorganic or organic GSR particles. There is also potential to detect GSR under IR light; however, more research needs to be conducted to determine the composition of the particles observed after image enhancement.

show abstract

Gunshot residue contamination of the hands of police officers following start-of-shift handling of their firearm

Cited by 24 publications

References 10 publications

Secondary transfer of organic gunshot residues: Empirical data to assist the evaluation of three scenarios

Secondary transfer of organic gunshot residues: Empirical data to assist the evaluation of three scenarios

Ear as an alternative sampling site for GSR analysis following shotgun discharge

Noninvasive, visual examination for the presence of gunshot residue on human skin

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About