GUNSHOT RANGE

(GSR)
DETERMINATION
GUNSHOT RANGE (GSR) Determination
or
Gunshot Distance Determination
 when a firearm is discharged,
gunpowder residue may also be
deposited on the clothing of the victim.
 the size and density of the pattern of

gunpowder residue found on the

clothing are the main factors
considered in determining the
approximate distance of the shooter to
the victim.
 As the distance to the victim increases,

the size of pattern expands while

density decreases and vice-versa
Distance Determination
-Is the method employed to determine
the distance between FIREARM and the
TARGET.
-applicable within 36 inches
-the greater the distance, the larger the
dispersal powder burns
-the larger the dispersal, the less
densely packed the powder burns.
IMPORTANCE OF DISTANCE DETERMINATION
1.Self defense claim
2.In the distinction between murder
and suicide.

IN ASCERTAINING THE GUNSHOT

RANGE THE EXAMINER SHOULD NOTE
AND OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING:
1.Entrance and exit holes
2.Powder residue pattern (burning,
singeing, smudging, tattoing)
 ENTRANCE AND EXIT HOLES
ENTRANCE HOLE
-contains gunpowder residue (bullet
wipe residue) and it is slightly burned.
-the diameter is smaller than the exit
hole.
-is frayed inward

EXIT HOLE
-is frayed outward
Classification of gunshot distance:
-BURNING (direct)

-SINGEING (1-2 inches)

-SMUDGING(2-8 inches)

-TATTOOING (8-18 inches)

The distance of the muzzle
of the gun to the target is
classified into 3:
1.Direct contact
2.Two inches to 36 inches
away
3.36 inches away or more
Test for gunshot residue:
-nitrate residue chemical examination
-lead residue chemical examination
Characteristics of gunshot wounds:
a.DIRECT/CONTACT WOUNDS
-the principal damage is more visible due to
the flame and the muzzle blast than to
the penetration of bullet.
-the following observation may be noted:
1.Gaping hole where fabric is badly torn
2.Blackened area surrounding the bullet
powder residues around the entrance hole
3.The presence of partially burned powder
residues around the entrance hole
b.WOUNDS INFLICTED AT A DISTANCE FROM
2-36 INCHES:
-if the gun is discharged closely to the body
of the victim, two types of discoloration will
be observed around the hole of the entrance
namely:
1.SMUDGING
-is produced when the gun is held from about
2 inches to the maximum of 8 inches.
-the smoke and soot from the burned pores
are deposited around the hole of the
entrance producing a dirty appearance.
THE SIZE OF THE SMUDGE DEPENDS
UPON THE FOLLOWING:
1.Length of the barrel
2.Age of the gun/efficiency of
mechanism
3.Direction of firing
4.Wind direction and velocity
5.humidity/percentage moisture in air
2.POWDER TATTOING
-produces black coarsely peppered
pattern.
-individual specks of tattooing around
the hole are visible by the naked eye.
-the area of blackening around the
perforation will be found to diminish
in size as the muzzle of the gun is
held away from the target.
c.WOUNDS INFLICTED AT A DISTANCE
OF MORE THAN 36 INCHES:
-powder tattooing is seldom present
-nitrates found will not be sufficient
for GSR examination
BULLET COMPARISON
-a type of examination using a
microscope which is commonly used in
comparison of an empty shell
containing marks from groves of the
gun barrel and firing pin of specific
firearm used.
 Other methods of examination:
Ferrozine spray /Hydroxyguinoline test with
fluorescent photography
–to determine the presence of iron traces

Color orange brown in suicide victims hand upon

contact with the barrel
-presumably from perspiration with prolonged
post-mortem interval

Latent fingerprints
-can be detected in the cartridge and expended
shell casing
 FIREARM EXAMINATION
METHODS USED TO DETERMINE THE
PROBABLE TIME THE FIREARM HAS
BEEN DISCHARGED:

a.LUCAS TEST
-a characteristic smell that decreases in
intensity with lapse of time is present
immediately after firing but even after
several weeks some slight smell
remains.
b.LEAD ACETATE PAPER TEST
-to determine the presence of
hydrogen sulfide (odor) in the gaseous
state.
-if the breech of the gun is kept closed,
this persists between 2-3 hours.
-SULFIDE, the greater part disappears
in about 4-5 hours but frequently a
trace remains for a longer time, the
longest period being 1o hours.
c.ODOR OF THE BARREL (RUSTING)
-if the firearm has been discharged,
iron salts are formed and can be
detected inside the barrel.
-these iron salts are soon oxidized
resulting in the formation of rust
d.SWABBING METHODS
-to determine the presence of nitrates
-nitrates diminish after a lapse of time
-nitrates can be detected by swabbing
a portion of residue in a barrel and
mixing the residue with DPA solution
e.DERMAL NITRATE TEST
-the test is designed to determine the
presence of gunpowder nitrates on the
hands of the alleged shooter.
 COLLECTION, PRESERVATION AND TRANSIT OF
SPECIMEN.
a.clothing removed from the victim should be
cautiously and carefully handled to prevent
powder residues from becoming dislodged

b.do not wad the specimen or pack it loosely

for shipment

c.secure the area to be tested between two

layers of heavy cardboard fastened together
tightly to prevent the specimen from
becoming postlude about in the
transit.
d.each specimen should be wrapped tightly
and marked

e.clothing heavily smeared with blood should

be dried thoroughly before packing

f.gun recovered from the scene of the crime

and ammunition available should be
preserved

g.person suspected to have discharged a

firearm should be subjected to a paraffin
test.
 AMPING
TA
SA
KANUNAY…..