Current Methods in Forensic Gunshot Residue Analysis

✍ Scribed by A. J. Schwoeble, David L. Exline

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 172
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

With the ever-spreading problem of violent crime in today's society, techniques to assist forensic scientists and other law enforcement personnel have come to the forefront. With improvement in collection methods and analytical tools to conduct more thorough analyses, gunshot residue examination has made a dramatic impact as an area of trace evidence that is essential in the investigation and prosecution of violent crime. Current Methods in Forensic Gunshot Residue Analysis deals with major areas of gunshot residue analysis such as current and future methods of analysis, collection techniques, interpretation of evidence as well as expert testimony and report writing. This text is a necessity for any forensic scientist conducting this type of analysis and all other law enforcement personnel, academia, and lawyers involved in the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes involving firearms.

✦ Table of Contents

Current Methods in Forensic Gunshot Residue Analysis......Page 2
Preface......Page 5
The Authors......Page 7
Acknowledgments......Page 8
Table of Contents......Page 10
Introduction......Page 13
Value of GSR as Trace Evidence......Page 14
Transfer of GSR......Page 15
Specific Areas of GSR Deposition......Page 16
Collection of GSR Evidence......Page 17
General Crime Scene Considerations......Page 19
Examination of GSR......Page 20
References......Page 21
Glossary......Page 0
2 Explanation of Gunshot Residue......Page 22
Particle Formation......Page 23
Shape and Texture of GSR......Page 24
Morphologies of Known GSR Particles from Test Firings......Page 25
Terminology......Page 26
Environmental Considerations in GSR Examination......Page 27
References......Page 28
Scanning Electron Microscopy/ Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS)......Page 30
Features of the SEM......Page 31
The Column......Page 32
Beam/Sample Interaction......Page 34
Detectors......Page 37
Imaging......Page 39
X-Ray Detectors......Page 40
Working Distance......Page 42
Automated SEM Analysis......Page 43
Variable Pressure SEM......Page 44
Case Study 1......Page 46
Case Study 4......Page 48
Discussion of Variable Pressure SEM......Page 50
Other Methods of Analysis......Page 51
Color Tests......Page 52
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS)......Page 53
References......Page 54
The Plume Study......Page 56
Particle Fallout......Page 86
References......Page 90
Firearms......Page 91
Shotguns......Page 92
The Cartridge Case......Page 94
Cartridge Casing......Page 97
Bullet......Page 98
Primer......Page 100
Head Stamps......Page 101
GSR Studies: U.S. Manufacture Pistol Primers......Page 102
General Observations from Test Firings......Page 104
Revolvers vs. Semi-Automatics......Page 132
References......Page 133
Note Taking......Page 134
Report Writing......Page 135
Chain of Custody......Page 139
Expert Qualifications......Page 140
Background Questions......Page 141
Glossary......Page 145
Bibliography......Page 153