Recent trends in organic gunshot residue analysis

Abstract

(J.W. Birkett). Highlights A list of 136 compounds associated with organic gunshot residue (OGSR) is presented  Recent developments in methods for the extraction and detection of OGSR are highlighted  Analytical techniques aiming to provide a full chemical profile are discussed  It is concluded that the optimal methodology for any OGSR sample should be based on a 'case-by-case' approach 2 Abstract A comprehensive review of the literature concerning all aspects of sampling and analytical techniques used for the determination of organic gunshot residue (OGSR) compounds is presented. Currently, 136 compounds associated with OGSR have been identified in the literature. Despite this area gaining increasing attention and recognition in recent years, there is still an absence of a set combination of sample collection, extraction and analysis methods that are universally optimal for the treatment of any given OGSR sample. Moreover, there are no generally accepted guidelines for selecting the compounds of interest that will inform sampling and analysis protocols. Recent developments in both extraction and analytical methods employed for their detection are highlighted. The main advantages and disadvantages of the sampling and analysis methods are critically discussed.

A forensic investigation on the persistence of organic gunshot residues

“…Recent research in the field of OGSR suggests that the recovery rate of the organic residues is significantly higher when collected by means of carbon-coated adhesive stubs when compared to alcoholic swabs [33,40]. The collection of OGSR traces was carried out with SEM-EDX stubs (Ted Pella Inc, USA), which are commonly used for GSR sampling [41]. The thumbforefinger part of the palm and back of the hand as well as the wrist were sampled as presented in Figure 2.…”

Organic compositional analysis of propellant powders using monolithic material sorption extraction (MSSE)-a feasibility study

“…The selection of the compounds included in the standard is based on previous work, in which relevant compounds associated with propellant are highlighted [4,21]. A comprehensive list of organic compounds associated with propellant and GSR can be found elsewhere [22]. The capability of MonoTrap TM to extract OGSR compounds from unburnt ammunition propellant is evaluated.…”

“…AKII is a stabiliser that may be used as an additive in propellant powder and is thus also associated with OGSR materials [21][22][23][24][25]. DPF has only been mentioned in conjunction with OGSR in the literature on a few occasions, but its function in propellant powder was not reported [26,27].…”

Applications of Direct Injection Soft Chemical Ionisation-Mass Spectrometry for the Detection of Pre-blast Smokeless Powder Organic Additives

“…Within the organic additive category, we can include plasticizers, stabilisers, opacifiers, flash suppressants, coolants, surface lubricants and dyes. [2,[9][10][11][12][13] The aim of these additives is to increase the shelf-life and modify the burning characteristics of the powder [5,14]. Different concentrations and/ or different additives are characteristic of a given manufacturer, producing therefore a chemical fingerprint for each powder [15].…”

“…Several analytical techniques have been used for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of smokeless powders, either in their pre-and/or post-blast forms [9,10], including highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [17][18][19], liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) [8,[20][21][22], Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [23], gas chromatography (GC) [12,14,24], capillary electrophoresis (CE) [25,26], ion m o b i l i t y s p e c t r o m e t r y ( I M S ) [ 2 7 ] , s o l i d -p h a s e microextraction-ion mobility spectrometry (SPME)-IMS [12,28], (nano)electrospray ionization (nESI)-tandem mass spectrometry [29][30][31], laser electrospray-mass spectrometry (LEMS) [15,32], desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI) [33,34], direct analysis in real timemass spectrometry (DART-MS) [35], time-of-flight secondary ion-mass spectrometry (ToF-MS) [36] and Raman spectroscopy [23,37]. Most of the abovementioned techniques require time-consuming sample preparation step(s)-exception of DESI and DART-or if not, they require complicated setups, such as the use of lasers as the means for sample vaporization (LEMS) or heated purified gases (DART).…”