GUNSHOT RESIDUE COLLECTION
During the discharge of a firearm, escaping gases from the weapon deposit gunshot residue (GSR) on the skin of the shooter’s hands, on the clothing of the shooter, and on other objects located in close proximity to the shooter. Included in this gaseous cloud of residue are particles composed primarily of primer residue. Primer compositions may vary with different types of ammunition and different manufacturers, but the most common constituents of primers have been lead styphnate, barium nitrates, and antimony sulfide. Analysis and characterization of the residue for the trace elements (lead, barium, and antimony) are used to indicate if a suspect has fired, handled, or been in close proximity to a weapon when it was fired. The efficient and reliable removal of GSR particles from hands and/or clothing is critical in preserving GSR evidence for analysis in the laboratory. The GSR-AA (Atomic Absorption) and GSR-SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) Gunshot Residue Evidence Collection Kits and supplies shown in this section have been specifically designed to meet the needs of both the crime laboratory analyst and the collecting officer in the field. Our kits contain all components necessary for GSR collection, including a step-by-step instruction sheet to assure the crime laboratory of receiving properly collected and identifiable samples for analysis.
During the discharge of a firearm, escaping gases from the weapon deposit gunshot residue (GSR) on the skin of the shooter’s hands, on the clothing of the shooter, and on other objects located in close proximity to the shooter. Included in this gaseous cloud of residue are particles composed primarily of primer residue. Primer compositions may vary with different types of ammunition and different manufacturers, but the most common constituents of primers have been lead styphnate, barium nitrates, and antimony sulfide. Analysis and characterization of the residue for the trace elements (lead, barium, and antimony) are used to indicate if a suspect has fired, handled, or been in close proximity to a weapon when it was fired. The efficient and reliable removal of GSR particles from hands and/or clothing is critical in preserving GSR evidence for analysis in the laboratory. The GSR-AA (Atomic Absorption) and GSR-SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) Gunshot Residue Evidence Collection Kits and supplies shown in this section have been specifically designed to meet the needs of both the crime laboratory analyst and the collecting officer in the field. Our kits contain all components necessary for GSR collection, including a step-by-step instruction sheet to assure the crime laboratory of receiving properly collected and identifiable samples for analysis.