NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS(NAA)

OBJECTIVE:
 INTRODUCTION
- History
- Application of Neutron Activation Analysis
- Instruments/tools
INTRODUCTION
 Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is a non-destructive analytical method
commonly used to determine the identities and concentrations of elements within
a variety of materials.
 Unlike many other analytical techniques, NAA is based on nuclear rather than
electronic.
HISTORY
 Neutron Activation Analysis
- Discovered by George de Hevesy and Hilde Levi.
- Discovered in 1936
Application of Neutron Activation
Analysis (NAA)
 Archeology
- Sourcing of clays and pottery
 Biology
- Toxin in fish and agricultural products
- Trace elements in oil and lipids
 Chemistry
-Contaminants in salts, pure crystals, and metals
 Engineering
- Composition and contaminants in metals, thin film deposits plastics
 Geology
- Sourcing and composition of igneous rocks, sediments, and basalts
 Medicine
- Toxin and trace elements in hair, skin and nail samples
 High Energy Physics
- High fidelity measurements of precious and rare earth metals in geological
samples
 Environmental toxins
-Detection of trace levels various toxic metals such as mercury, uranium, and
thorium
 Forensics
- Analysis of bullets and other crime scene materials (paint, glass, metals)
Application of NAA in forensic science

 Forensic science is oriented towards the examination of specimens, collected from

a scene of crime in order to establish the link between a criminal and a crime. The
use of NAA and other complementary techniques help in answering certain
questions like the identification of the firearms, the range of firing, an opinion
about entry and exit hole, etc.
Application of NAA in forensic science

 Quantitative determination of a known group of specific elements is of paramount

importance in many forensic investigations. Gunshot Residues (GSR) / Firearm
Discharge Residues (FDR) and matching of bullet specimens are examples where
the use of nuclear and allied analytical techniques is extremely useful. This
analytical technique does play a pivotal role in the criminal justice delivery
system, which has a true social impact.
Illustration of crimes involving gunshot/firearms
residues
 The forensic medical expert’s establishing that the bullet’s path was
at a 60-degree angle to the long axis of the arm allowed the
determination of the position of the victim assuming that the shooter
remained in an up- right position, as according to his own testimony.
An illustration to the above facts can be a simplified schematic of
the relative positions of the people taking part in the accident
presented.
Inspection of the case files, as well as the performed physico-chemical
ex-aminations, allowed the questions included in the court’s resolution
to be answered in the following manner:
1. The victim was bending over, and his left arm was raised up.
2. The victim was shot with one projectile.
3. In the instant he was shooting, the shooter held his pistol with both
hands, which were stretched forward, and the shot that hit the victim
was fired most probably from a distance not greater than one meter.
Collection method for gunshot residue
particle
 Gunshot residue can be collected from various areas based
on the place and type of crime whether it is a homicidal or
suicidal case. The site from where the samples are
collected include vehicular sites like seat belts, seats,
headlines, inner or outer part of the vehicle, nearby region
of the incident, body regions, clothes, target area, and the
intermediate part (between target and gun).
Procedure/s in examining gunshot
residues
 Paraffin test
 The paraffin test is one of the crudest of GRA methods that
detects for nitrate residues. It uses liquified paraffin wax
interlaced with gauze sheets applied on the hand skin to
open up skin pores and collect chemicals inside the pores.
When the wax cools, it forms a cast on which lab
technicians apply either diphenylamine or diphenyl
benzidine. Nitrates will cause blue dots to appear on the
casts corresponding to the hand supposedly used to shoot. 
 Reporting
  The presence location of the blue dots recorded in drawings that
technicians are required to make. 
 Use in Courts
  The report is treated as evidence that the suspect had fired a gun. In
court, the administering technician testifies on the examination and
presents the drawings with the interpretations made. 
 Sources of False Negative Results
 The gunpowder burns can be removed from the skin pores using 
warm vinegar. High temperature opens up the pores and forces out
the gunpowder.
compound microscope
Comparison Microscope

 Comparison microscopy is the most important technique in the field

of forensic firearms/toolmark examination and comparison. Similar
to other forms of visible light microscopy, it is enhanced to allow
simultaneous examination of two separate objects. These
microscopes allow the simultaneous comparison of the
unique striations and impressed marks found on the surfaces of
objects bearing toolmarks (including fired bullets and cartridge
cases).
Comparison Microscope