Gun

Shot
Residue
FORENSIC 3
Forensic Chemistry and
Toxicology

Instructor
Hannah Jean V. Esteban, RCh. LPT

1st Semester 2022-2023

Objectives
At the end of this module
the students should be
able to:

Understand what is GSR and where it comes from 01

Know the uses and application of GSR Evidence 02

Demonstrate understanding of GSR 03

laboratory tests

04

05

06
Important Terms
Ballistics
The science that deals with the flight, behavior and effect
of a projectile.

Projectiles
Example is a bullet – an The flight path of a
object that leaves the projectile is also
source of its energy behind studied
and is affected only by
gravity

DISCOVER
DISCOVER
Important Terms
Forensic Ballistics
The science of analyzing firearms, bullets and bullet
impact.

Ballistic Fingerprinting
- Analyzing firearm
evidence to determine if
that particular firearm was
used in a crime

DISCOVER

DISCOVER
 Gun Shot Residue
- Residues formed during the
discharge of a firearm.
These are the inorganic and
metallic residues largely
originating from the
ammunition that has been
discharged
- A chemical cocktail
compound produced as a
result of a series of high-
pressure reactions intended - composed of unburned and partially
to force the bullet down the burnt propellant powder, particles from
barrel of a gun the ammunition primer, smoke, grease,
- Also know as cartridge lubricants, and metals from the cartridge
discharge residue (CDR) as well as the weapon itself
Parts of a Gun and
Ammunition
Parts of a Gun Parts of an ammunition
The Firing Process
- All guns fire by applying explosive
pressure behind a projectile to launch it
down a barrel

Forensic 3 – Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

- Firing pin strikes and ignites the primer
which explodes and ignites the propellant

As propellant burns, The bullet is forced Imperfections in the

down the barrel by barrel and on the
gases build up
the expanding gases breech face are
inside the bullet transferred to
and the bullet case is
case and the bullet slammed back surfaces of the bullet
is pushed forward against the breech and bullet case
into the barrel face
Components of
GSR
The composition, classification, production, and

Forensic 3 – Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

nature of gunshot residues is very complex and their
composition depends on several factors like the
composition of propellants & primers, composition of
projection, and composition of barrel and barrel
fouling.

Propellants and Primers

A. Black powder:
• Potassium nitrate (salt peter) -
75%
• Finely divided particles of
charcoal - 15%
• Sulphur - 10%
 Components of
GSR
Propellants and Primers

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A. Smokeless Powder
• Nitroglycerine (single base)
• Nitrocellulose (Double base)
• Cordite

➢ Nitrocellulose – 20%
➢ Potassium Nitrate – 60%
➢ Charcoal – 12%
➢ Sulfur – 8%
All smokeless powders, in addition to explosive ingredients, contain a number
of additives, including stabilizers, plasticizers, flash inhibitors, coolants,
moderants, surface lubricants, and anti-wear additives
 Components of GSR

Forensic 3 – Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

 Components of GSR

Forensic 3 – Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Components of
GSR

Forensic 3 – Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Propellants and Primers

A. Primer
➢ Lead styphnate 32 – 42%
➢ Antimony sulfide 13 – 17%
➢ Barium nitrate 27 – 37%
➢ PETN 4 – 6%
➢ Tetracene 3 – 5%
➢ Aluminum 6 – 8%
Inorganic components of GSR
The inorganic materials in modern smokeless powders and primers giving
rise to GSR can originate from several substances, which are given below:

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➢ From primers ➢ From barrels
▪ Lead, Barium antimony ▪ Iron from barrels

➢ From propellants ➢ From bullet

▪ Nitrites, Nitrate,s and carbon ▪ Lead
monoxide - a gas produced by
propellant and gets absorbed ➢ From carbon in propellants
by skin and flesh, turning ▪ Particles of carbon
them to bright red color or
cherry red Color.
❑ All these GSR are produced from
➢ From Jackets propellants primers bullets and
▪ Copper, Zinc and Nickel also jackets and are inorganic in
in cases where shells are nature.
coated with Nickel.
Organic components of GSR
Organic compounds are predominantly found in the propellant powder and
the primer mixture, but can also originate from every part of the ammunition

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used.

➢ Nitrocellulose, the unburnt or the semi-burnt part of the

main component of the propellant.

➢ Lubricants used for lubricating bullets are organic in

nature and appear as GSR.

➢ When double base propellants are used, the unburnt and

semi-burnt parts of Nitroglycerine.

➢ Organic materials used as plasticizers are also detected

as GSR.
GSR Deposition
GSR may be looked for:
➢ On the hands - mainly present on

Forensic 3 – Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

thumb, trigger finger and web of
hand
➢ On the clothes of the victim, if the
human being is the target
➢ Intermediate targets may also have
GSR depositions
➢ Inside of cartridge cases and barrel
may have GSR. In addition, outside
surface of barrel can also be
examined for GSR.
➢ Fired projectiles may also be
examined for gunshot residue.
GSR Deposition

Forensic 3 – Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Lifted from: Blakey et al. 2017. Fate and Behavior of Gunshot Residue – A Review.
Journal of Forensic Sciences. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13555
GSR Collection
There are numerous techniques that
can be used for GSR sample collection

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and selecting the most appropriate one
is important in ensuring maximum
collection efficiency

1. Tape Lifts – (inorganics)

2. Vacuum Lifts – (GSR from clothing)
3. Swabbing – (uses solvents)
4. Glue Lifts – ( GSR from hands)
5. Nasal Collection – (airborne GSR in
nasal mucus)
6. Collection from Hair – (by swab,
comb method or tape lifting)
GSR Analysis
COLOR/SPOT Testing

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➢ Most commonly used
for estimating firing
distances.
➢ Can also be used as
rapid test for the
presence of GSR and
determination of
bullet holes/entrance
wounds.
➢ Presumptive in
nature
GSR Analysis
Inorganic GSR Analysis Organic GSR Analysis

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❑ NAA – Neutron Activation
❑ GC – Gas Chromatography
Analysis → has been
❑ HPLC – High Performance Liquid
used as bulk analysis
Chromatography
method for various
❑ Capillary Electrophoresis
elements.
❑ MS/MS – Tandem Mass spectrometry
→ Antimony (Sb) and
→ quantitative analysis of DPA
Barium (Ba) are two
(diphenylamine)
main elements identified
❑ TOF-SIMS – Time-of-flight Secondary
in the method
Mass Spectrometry
❑ AAS – Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy
❑ ICP – Inductively Coupled
Plasma
❑ SEM – Scanning Electron
Microscopy
 Forensic 3 – Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
Thank you!
Use this space for announcements,
homeworks, or ways students can approach
you if ever they have questions.
 References
• Blakey et al. 2017. Fate and Behavior of Gunshot Residue – A Review. Journal of
Forensic Sciences. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13555
• Dalby O., Butler D., Birkett J.W. 2010. Analysis of Gunshot Residue and Associated
Materials – A Review. Journal of Forensic Sciences. Vol. 55, No. 4. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-
4029.2010.01370.x