Preparation of a Ytterbium‐tagged Gunshot Residue Standard for Quality Control in the Forensic Analysis of <scp>GSR</scp>

Hearns, Nigel G. R.; Laflèche, Denis N.; Sandercock, P. Mark L.

doi:10.1111/1556-4029.12729

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(19 reference statements)

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“…Certified reference materials for IGSR analysis are currently only available for SEM-EDS analysis. 20,44 With the creation of newly characterized IGSR standards, alternate methods of analysis such as spICP-TOFMS are now available to be validated for IGSR detection. By using these reference suspensions, we examined the particle populations originating from two ammunition primers: one leaded (Winchester) and one lead-free (Inceptor).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elemental Characterization of Leaded and Lead-Free Inorganic Primer Gunshot Residue Standards Using Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

et al. 2022

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This study describes the use of single particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (spICP-TOFMS) for the detection and classification of inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR) particles. To establish reliable multi-element criteria to classify IGSR particles, leaded and lead-free IGSR reference materials were analyzed, and the elemental compositions of the individual particles were quantified. The results suggest that expanded element compositions may be used to classify IGSR particles via spICP-TOFMS compared to those used in conventional IGSR analysis using scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). For spICP-TOFMS analysis of leaded IGSR particles, classification may be based on the presence of lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), and barium (Ba) just as in SEM-EDS; however, additional particle types, such as lead-copper (Pb–Cu) particles, contribute significantly (∼30%) to the leaded IGSR particle population. In lead-free IGSR particles, the dominate multi-metal particle composition found is titanium–zinc (Ti–Zn) with a conserved Zn:Ti ratio of 1.4:1, but other elements, such as copper (Cu), are also characteristic. In mixtures of the two IGSR reference materials, we were able to classify over 80% of the multi-metal particles detected with no false-positive particle-type assignments. With spICP-TOFMS, particles smaller than those typically measured by SEM-EDS are detected, with estimated median diameters for leaded and lead-free IGSR of 180 and 320 nm, respectively. Through measuring these smaller particles, up to ∼two times more particles per mL are recorded by spICP-TOFMS compared to that found by SEM-EDS. Overall, high-sensitivity and high-throughput analysis using spICP-TOFMS enables quantitative, rapid multi-elemental characterization, and classification of individual IGSR particles.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elemental Characterization of Leaded and Lead-Free Inorganic Primer Gunshot Residue Standards Using Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

et al. 2022

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“…In 2015, Hearns et al (2015) added ytterbium and neodymium nitrates in the primer of conventional ammunition to provide traceability to a GSR reference standard to be used as positive control by the Trace Evidence Services of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. And, recently, Gd and Ga were added to NTA used by some European police forces (Polovkov a et al, 2015).…”

Section: Chemical Markersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nontoxic ammunition: Challenges and perspectives for GSR identification

Carneiro

Lucena

Silva

et al. 2022

WIREs Forensic Science

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Gunshot residues (GSR) are one of the most important forensic traces in crimes involving firearm discharge, being the conventional GSR characterized by containing spheroidal particles composed of Pb, Ba, and Sb. Over the years, a wide range of techniques has been applied and improved to characterize the conventional GSR, with deserved emphasis on scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). However, the introduction of nontoxic ammunition (NTA), or heavy metal‐free (HMF), on the market has triggered a search for new methodologies for GSR identification since methods based on the chemical and/or morphological profiles of conventional GSR are no longer appropriate for the analysis of this type of residues. This review highlights current methods and proposals for characterization of GSR from NTA, which involve either the search for characteristic chemical profiles or the insertion of selective markers in this new type of ammunition. This article is categorized under: Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Emerging Technologies and Methods Forensic Medicine > Imaging Modalities

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“…There are many studies have been obtained in the literature comparing the benefits and disadvantages of shot residue analysis methods (Matricardi and Kilty, 1977;Brozek-Mucha and Jankowicz, 2001;Taudte et al, 2014;Ali et al, 2016;Shrivastava et al, 2021). GFAAS, which has advantages such as cost, sensitivity, and quick analysis findings, and SEM, which has advantages such as analyzing the elemental composition of the particles and studying their morphological properties, are two procedures that are often employed (Chang et al, 2013;Hearns et al, 2015;Kara and Yalçinkaya, 2017;Bender et al, 2021;Caccia et al, 2021). Especially the analysis of Sb, Ba and Pb in the GSR can be obtained with high accuracy and precision by GFAAS and SEM-EDS.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Çeşitli İş Kollarında Çalışanların Ellerinden Elde Edilen Yanıltıcı Kalıntı Varlığının Araştırılması

Mert

HİLAL²

2023

Osmaniye Korkut Ata Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi

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Handswap analysis is carried out in criminal laboratories in order to illuminate the crime scenes in which firearms are used. The reliability of the results obtained from the analyzes is the subject of the chemistry department and is based on sample reliability. In this study, the hand swabs of people working in fifteen various business lines were obtained using transfer kit in order to acquire a scientific response to the issue of whether there would be shot residues in the hands of people in everyday life. Collected samples were first examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS). The elements of Sb&Ba&Pb, as well as their combinations, were investigated in the samples. After SEM-EDS analysis, all samples were analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) method to determine the amount of antimony element. According to the results, antimony element was detected on the surface of the caliper used in the printing house via GFAAS. Sb&Ba&Pb particles were also detected by SEM-EDS analysis in the swabs taken from the hands of the automobile battery repairman and the market cashier.

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Preparation of a Ytterbium‐tagged Gunshot Residue Standard for Quality Control in the Forensic Analysis of GSR

Cited by 5 publications

References 18 publications

Elemental Characterization of Leaded and Lead-Free Inorganic Primer Gunshot Residue Standards Using Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Elemental Characterization of Leaded and Lead-Free Inorganic Primer Gunshot Residue Standards Using Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Nontoxic ammunition: Challenges and perspectives for GSR identification

Çeşitli İş Kollarında Çalışanların Ellerinden Elde Edilen Yanıltıcı Kalıntı Varlığının Araştırılması

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