Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Validation of the Expert Methodology “Detection of Condensed Traces of Gunshot Residue Containing Heavy Metal Compounds on Various Objects by Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis”

  • SUBSTANCES ANALYSIS
  • Published:
Inorganic Materials Aims and scope

Abstract

We present and discuss the results of validation of a forensic qualitative testing technique which consists in the detection of the condensed traces of gunshot residue (GSR) in the form of individual microparticles on the objects under study and their identification by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) using a Mira III scanning electron microscope (Tescan, Czech Republic) equipped with an INCA GSR 450 system of X-ray microanalysis (Oxford Nanoanalysis, Great Britain). The procedure for detecting GSR particles containing heavy metal compounds, systems of classification of GSR particles, and interpretation of test results are described. The suitability of the method for solving forensic problems is confirmed. The validation procedure consists in assessing the reliability by comparing the test results obtained by experts (A and B) in two laboratories at different times using the same device and in confirming the competence of the experts on the basis of the results of “blind” tests. An ENFSI GSR PT 2018 A-03-07 standard sample is used. The “blind” test consists in the determination by each of the experts of the presence and number of particles classified as GSR in control samples taken in a ballistic laboratory during a full-scale experiment: from the hands of a shooter, from the hands of a person who did not shoot, and without microparticles (clean stage of an electron microscope). The reliability of the technique is characterized by the index (probability) of correct results of detection of GSR particles in the standard sample of at least 95.8% and by a small proportion of false results (no more than 5.4%). The competence of the experts is proved by the consistent results of “blind” testing of control full-scale samples containing and not containing GSR particles obtained in different laboratories. The results of the validation indicate the suitability of the method for obtaining reliable and valid information about the presence of GSR particles on the objects under study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.

REFERENCES

  1. Heard, B.J., Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics. Examining and Interpreting Forensic Evidence, Oxford: Wiley-Blachwell, 2008.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  2. Zeichner, A., Recent developments in methods of chemical analysis of firearm-related events, Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 2003, vol. 376, no. 8, pp. 1178–1191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-003-1994-y

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Krishnan, S.S., Detection of Gunshot Residue on the hands by trace element analysis, J. Forens. Sci., 1977, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 26–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Renshaw, G.D., Pounds, C.A., and Pearson, E.F., The quantitative estimation of lead, antimony and barium in gunshot residues by non-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, At. Absorpt. Newslett., 1973, vol. 12, p. 55.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hoffman, C.M., Neutron activation analysis for the detection of firearm discharge residues collected with cotton swabs, J. AOAC Int., 1973, vol. 56, no. 6, pp. 1388–1390. https://doi.org/10.1093/jaoac/56.6.1388

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. OSAC Proposed Standard: Standard Practice for Gunshot Residue Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry, OSAC, 2020.

    Google Scholar 

  7. ASTM E1588-20: Standard Practice for Gunshot Residue Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry. https://www.astm.org/Standards/E1588.html.

  8. Best Practice Manual for the Forensic Investigation of Gunshot Residue by SEM/EDS, ENFSI-BPM-GSR-02, vers. 02, 2021.

  9. SWGGSR, Guide for Primer Gunshot Residue Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry. http://www.swggsr.org. Accessed 2011.

  10. Trimple, M., The current status of GSR examinations, FBI Law Enforcem. Bull., 2011, no. 5, pp. 24–32.

  11. Stamouli, A., Niewohner, L., Larsson, M., et al., Survey of gunshot residue prevalence on the hands of individuals from various population groups in and outside Europe, Forensic Chem., 2021, vol. 23, p. 100308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forc.2021.100308

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Brozek-Mucha, Z., On the prevalence of gunshot residue in selected populations an empirical study performed with SEM-EDX analysis, Forens. Sci. Int., 2014, vol. 237, pp. 46–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.01.020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Smirnova, S.A., Usov, A.I., Omelyanuk, G.G., et al., Practice of accreditation of forensic laboratories of the Ministry of Justice of Russia on compliance with ISO/MEK 17025, Teor. Prakt. Sud. Ekspert., 2011, no. 2 (22), pp. 40–56.

  14. PCAST. Report to the President Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison Methods. http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3121011-Pcast-Forensic-Science-Report-Final.html. Accessed September 2, 2021.

  15. Bebeshko, G.I., Lyubetskaya, I.P., Omel’yanyuk, G.G., and Usov, A.I., Methodological approaches to calculation of the main validation parameters of forensic techniques, Zavod. Lab. Diagn. Mater., 2020, vol. 86, no. 4, pp. 66–74. https://doi.org/10.26896/1028-6861-2020-86-4-66-74

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Smirnova, S.A., Bebeshko, G.I., Lyubetskaya, I.P., et al., Probability-based validation of the forensic method ‘Microscopic analysis of textile fibers’, Teor. Prakt. Sud. Ekspert., 2019, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 92–99. https://doi.org/10.30764/1819-2785-2019-14-2-92-99

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Russian Federal Centre of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, 109028, Moscow, Russia

    S. A. Smirnova, I. B. Afanasyev, G. I. Bebeshko & G. G. Omel’yanyuk

  2. Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, 117198, Moscow, Russia

    S. A. Smirnova & G. G. Omel’yanyuk

  3. Bauman Moscow State Technical University, 105005, Moscow, Russia

    G. G. Omel’yanyuk

Authors
  1. S. A. Smirnova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. I. B. Afanasyev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. I. Bebeshko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. G. Omel’yanyuk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to G. I. Bebeshko or G. G. Omel’yanyuk.

Ethics declarations

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Translated by E. Boltukhina

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Smirnova, S.A., Afanasyev, I.B., Bebeshko, G.I. et al. Validation of the Expert Methodology “Detection of Condensed Traces of Gunshot Residue Containing Heavy Metal Compounds on Various Objects by Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis”. Inorg Mater 58, 1491–1499 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S002016852214014X

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S002016852214014X

Keywords:

Search

Navigation