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Khandasammy SR, Halámková L, Baudelet M, Lednev IK. Identification and highly selective differentiation of organic gunshot residues utilizing their elemental and molecular signatures. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 291:122316. [PMID: 36634494 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.122316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Firearm related evidence is of great significance to forensic science. In recent years, many researchers have focused on exploring the probative value of organic gunshot residue (OGSR) evidence, which is often bolstered by many factors including recoverability. In addition, OGSR analysis has shown the potential to achieve differentiation between OGSRs generated from various ammunition brands and/or calibers. Raman spectroscopy is a vibrational spectroscopic technique which has been used in the past for gunshot residue analysis-including OGSR specifically. Raman spectroscopy is a nondestructive, highly-selective, simple, and rapid technique which provides molecular information about samples. LIBS or Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy is a simple, robust, and rapid analytical method which requires minimal to no sample preparation and a small amount of sample for analysis. LIBS provides information on the elemental compositions of samples. In this study, Raman spectroscopy and LIBS were used together in sequence in an attempt to achieve the specific identification and characterization of OGSR particles from ammunition types which were closely related. The main goal was to determine if this method had the potential to differentiate between various ammunition types of the same caliber and produced by the same manufacturer, and generated under identical firing conditions. High-resolution optical microscopy documented the OGSR particles' morphologies and Raman spectroscopy was used to identify particles as OGSRs. Finally, LIBS analysis of the OGSR particles was carried out. Advanced chemometric techniques were shown to allow for very successful differentiation between the OGSR samples analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby R Khandasammy
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, United States
| | - Lenka Halámková
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States
| | - Matthieu Baudelet
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, 4111 Libra Drive, Physical Sciences Bld. Rm. 255, Orlando, FL 32816, United States; National Center for Forensic Science, University of Central Florida, 12354 Research Parkway #225, Orlando, FL 32826, United States; CREOL - The College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida, 4304 Scorpius Street, Orlando, FL 32816, United States
| | - Igor K Lednev
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, United States.
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2
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Ong TH, Ljunggren J, Mendum T, Geurtsen G, Kunz RR. Vapor Signatures of Double-Base Smokeless Powders and Gunshot Residues for Supporting Canine Odor Imprinting. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:22567-22576. [PMID: 35811902 PMCID: PMC9260922 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Non-intrusive means to detect concealed firearms based on magnetometry are widely accepted and employed worldwide. Explosive detection canines can also detect concealed firearms provided that they are imprinted on materials that may be related to firearms such as nitroglycerin in double-base smokeless powders. However, there are hundreds of possible smokeless powder formulations across various manufacturers, presenting a challenge for trained canines to generalize across all possible powder compositions. In response, this paper reports a set of potential imprinting vapor(s) that may help detection canines generalize across a variety of double-base smokeless powders and gunshot residues. Statistical analysis was conducted on the smokeless powder database maintained by the National Center for Forensic Science, and headspace measurements targeting nitroglycerin and diphenylamine were collected from several powders. In addition, measurements were taken to track nitroglycerin and diphenylamine vapor concentration changes over time on the spent casings and gun barrels of four types of ammunition. The observed vapor concentration mixing ratios for nitroglycerin and diphenylamine from residues were in the part-per-billion to part-per-trillion range, which would be challenging to detect for many field-deployed explosive vapor detectors and indicate continued importance of canines for forensic investigation and crime prevention. Analyses suggest four potential vapor compositions for imprinting. For unburnt powders, 90% nitroglycerin and 10% diphenylamine appear adequate for most powders, and 90% dinitrotoluene and 10% diphenylamine is a possible candidate to increase generalization to powders that contain dinitrotoluene instead of nitroglycerin. 100% nitroglycerin appears adequate for many gunshot residues (GSRs). Diphenylamine may be present in some GSRs, and equal compositions of nitroglycerin and diphenylamine may be adequate for imprinting against these residues as they age (this study tracked signatures up to 7 weeks after discharge).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ta-Hsuan Ong
- Biological
& Chemical Technologies, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, 244 Wood Street, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
| | - James Ljunggren
- Charlie
Four Security Group, 33 Santom Street, Auburn, Massachusetts 01501, United States
| | - Ted Mendum
- Biological
& Chemical Technologies, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, 244 Wood Street, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
| | - Geoff Geurtsen
- Biological
& Chemical Technologies, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, 244 Wood Street, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
| | - Roderick Russell Kunz
- Biological
& Chemical Technologies, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, 244 Wood Street, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
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3
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Menking-Hoggatt K, Ott C, Vander Pyl C, Dalzell K, Curran J, Arroyo L, Trejos T. Prevalence and Probabilistic Assessment of Organic and Inorganic Gunshot Residue and Background Profiles using LIBS, Electrochemistry, and SEM-EDS. Forensic Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2022.100429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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4
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Maitre M, Horder M, Kirkbride KP, Gassner AL, Weyermann C, Gupta A, Beavis A, Roux C. An application example of the likelihood ratio approach to the evaluation of organic gunshot residues using a fictional scenario and recently published data. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 335:111267. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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McKeever C, Callan S, Warren S, Dempsey E. Magnetic nanoparticle modified electrodes for voltammetric determination of propellant stabiliser diphenylamine. Talanta 2022; 238:123039. [PMID: 34801896 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.123039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The overall aim of the work was to advance electrochemical devices capable of analysis of forensically relevant residues using rapid electrochemical sensor technology. In order to achieve this, electrochemical detection of the propellant stabiliser diphenylamine (DPA) was achieved via voltammetry with signal enhancement realised in the presence of iron oxide nanoparticle modified transducers. This allowed both mechanistic and analytical evaluation with the aim to achieve the required selectivity and sensitivity for reliable detection. DPA electrochemistry was examined at glassy carbon electrodes in aqueous (3:7 methanol: sodium acetate pH 4.3) electrolyte via potential sweeping, with an irreversible wave at Ep = 0.67 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The diffusion coefficient (D) for the oxidation process was calculated as 1.43 × 10-6 cm2 s-1 with αna = 0.7. DPA electrochemistry in a non aqueous methanol/acetonitrile electrolyte resulted in a D value of 5.47 × 10-8 cm2 s-1 with αna = 0.5. Electrochemical preparation of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles was achieved via electrooxidation of an iron anode in the presence of an amine surfactant followed by characterisation with SEM/EDX, XRD, FTIR and thermal analysis. A surface confined layer of these magnetic nanoparticles served to positively influence the response to DPA while impeding formation of surface confined oxidation products, with generation of an improved analytical signal - sensitivity 1.13× 10-3 A cm-2 mM-1 relative to bare electrode response (9.80 × 10-4 A cm-2 mM-1) over the range 0.5-50 μM DPA using differential pulse voltammetry, with LOD 3.51 × 10-6 M and LOQ 1.17 × 10-5 M. Real sample analysis involved recovery and differential pulse voltammetry of unburnt and burnt gunshot residue with DPA qualitative and quantitative analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm McKeever
- Department of Chemistry, Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Sarah Callan
- Department of Chemistry, Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Susan Warren
- CREST Technology Gateway, FOCUS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Kevin St., Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eithne Dempsey
- Department of Chemistry, Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
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Feeney W, Menking-Hoggatt K, Vander Pyl C, Ott CE, Bell S, Arroyo L, Trejos T. Detection of organic and inorganic gunshot residues from hands using complexing agents and LC-MS/MS. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2021; 13:3024-3039. [PMID: 34159965 DOI: 10.1039/d1ay00778e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Gunshot residue (GSR) refers to a conglomerate consisting of both organic molecules (OGSR) and inorganic species (IGSR). Historically, forensic examiners have focused only on identifying the IGSR particles by their morphology and elemental composition. Nonetheless, modern ammunition formulations and challenges with the GSR transference (such as secondary and tertiary transfer) have driven research efforts for more comprehensive examinations, requiring alternative analytical techniques. This study proposes the use of LC-MS/MS for chromatographic separation and dual detection of inorganic and organic residues. The detection of both target species in the same sample increases the confidence that chemical profiles came from a gun's discharge instead of non-firearm-related sources. This strategy implements supramolecular molecules that complex with the IGSR species, allowing them to elute from the column towards the mass spectrometer while retaining isotopic ratios for quick and unambiguous identification. The macrocycle (18-crown-6-ether) complexes with lead and barium, while antimony complexes with a chelating agent (tartaric acid). The total analysis time for OGSR and IGSR in one sample is under 20 minutes. This manuscript expands from a previous proof-of-concept publication by improving figures of merit, increasing the target analytes, testing the method's feasibility through a more extensive set of authentic specimens collected from the hands of both shooters and non-shooters, and comparing performance with other analytical techniques such as ICP-MS, electrochemical methods and LIBS. The linear dynamic ranges (LDR) spread across the low ppb range for OGSR (0.3-200 ppb) and low ppm range (0.1-6.0 ppm) for IGSR. The method's accuracy increased overall when both organic and inorganic profiles were combined.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Feeney
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, 1600 University Ave, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Scott KR, Jones VJ, Cameron NG, Young JM, Morgan RM. Freshwater diatom persistence on clothing II: Further analysis of species assemblage dynamics over investigative timescales. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 326:110897. [PMID: 34411937 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Diatoms are a useful form of environmental trace evidence, yielding a circumstantial link between persons and scenes of forensic interest. A developing empirical research base has sought to understand those factors affecting the transfer and persistence of freshwater diatoms on clothing and footwear surfaces. Although an initial study has demonstrated that diatoms can persist on clothing following weeks of wear, no previous research has explored the temporal dynamics of a persistent species assemblage over timescales pertinent to forensic investigations. This study therefore aimed to determine if: (1) valve morphology (size and shape) influences diatom persistence, (2) the relative abundance of taxa within an assemblage affects retention, and (3) a persistent diatom assemblage retrieved from clothing after one month can reliably be compared to the site of initial transfer. To build on previous research findings which highlighted the impact of substrate and environmental seasonality on diatom transfer and persistence, here, nine clothing materials were tested in spring before a seasonal comparison in the winter. Fabric swatches were immersed in a freshwater river, worn attached to clothing, and subsamples retrieved at regular intervals (hours, days, weeks) up to one month post-immersion. Diatoms were extracted using a H2O2 technique and analysed via microscopy. The results indicated that smaller diatoms (< 10 µm) are retained in significantly greater abundance, with no statistically significant difference between centric and pennate diatom loss over time. Although a persistent species assemblage was relatively stable over the one month of wear, significant differences were identified between clothing substrate in the spring and between the seasonal samples. The most abundant environmental taxa were consistently identified in the forensic samples, with greater variability attributed to the retention of relatively less common species. The findings suggest that, despite a loss in the abundance and species-richness of diatoms retrieved from clothing over time, a persistent assemblage may provide a useful circumstantial link to the site of initial transfer. The complex relationships between clothing type, environmental seasonality, and time since wear on retention, emphasise the need for diatom trace evidence to be carefully interpreted within an exclusionary framework, and the significance of any casework findings to be determined with reference to empirical evidence bases.
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Scott
- School of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, United Kingdom; Department of Security & Crime Science, University College London, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, United Kingdom; Centre for the Forensic Sciences, University College London, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, United Kingdom.
| | - V J Jones
- Environmental Change Research Centre, University College London, Department of Geography, North West Wing, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - N G Cameron
- Environmental Change Research Centre, University College London, Department of Geography, North West Wing, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - J M Young
- College of Science & Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - R M Morgan
- Department of Security & Crime Science, University College London, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, United Kingdom; Centre for the Forensic Sciences, University College London, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, United Kingdom
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8
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Shrivastava P, Jain S, Kumar N, Jain VK, Nagpal S. Handheld device for rapid detection of lead (Pb2+) in gunshot residue for forensic application. Microchem J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2021.106186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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9
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Charles S, Geusens N, Vergalito E, Nys B. Interpol review of gunshot residue 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2021; 2:416-428. [PMID: 33385140 PMCID: PMC7770441 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in gunshot residue analysis from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadia Geusens
- INCC-NICC, Chaussée de Vilvorde 100, B-1120, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Bart Nys
- INCC-NICC, Chaussée de Vilvorde 100, B-1120, Brussels, Belgium
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Gentile G, Tambuzzi S, Andreola S, Boracchi M, Gibelli L, Migliorini AS, Zoja R. Is it possible to detect lead derived from gunshot residues on decalcified human bone by means of a histochemical staining with sodium rhodizonate? Forensic Sci Int 2020; 316:110474. [PMID: 32882639 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In this study we have evaluated the detectability of lead deriving from Gunshot Residues (GSR) on human bone using colorimetric techniques as well as the possible interferences of decalcification on the stainability of these particles. 22 well preserved cadavers were divided into two groups: group A enlisted 11 victims deceased because of gunshot injuries (bones and soft tissues sampled in correspondence of the entry wound of the bullet)- and group B, comprehending 11 victims deceased for natural causes (specimens sampled from intact skin areas). All the samples, after decalcification processes for bone specimens with a 14 % HCl solution, underwent standard histological procedures and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), sodium rhodizonate (Na-R) and acidified sodium rhodizonate (Na-R-HCl 5 %). Two additional slides of soft tissues for each group were pre-treated with HCl 14 % before being stained with likewise staining. In group A, 10 samples out of 11 resulted to be negative to Na-R and Na-R-HCl 5% techniques while all the corresponding soft tissues resulted to be positive for the same staining. Additional soft tissue slides processed with 14 % HCl solution were negative in 10 cases out of 11. No sample in group B showed positivity to the staining procedures neither with nor without pre-treatment with 14 % HCl. The search for GSR residues on human bone is therefore not executable with Na-R and Na-R-HCl 5 % techniques since the essential decalcifying procedure modifies the stainability of the residues therefore adulterating the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guendalina Gentile
- Laboratorio di Istopatologia Forense e Microbiologia Medico Legale, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Tambuzzi
- Laboratorio di Istopatologia Forense e Microbiologia Medico Legale, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Salvatore Andreola
- Laboratorio di Istopatologia Forense e Microbiologia Medico Legale, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Michele Boracchi
- Laboratorio di Istopatologia Forense e Microbiologia Medico Legale, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Ludovica Gibelli
- Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Zoja
- Laboratorio di Istopatologia Forense e Microbiologia Medico Legale, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy.
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Feeney W, Vander Pyl C, Bell S, Trejos T. Trends in composition, collection, persistence, and analysis of IGSR and OGSR: A review. Forensic Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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12
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Gassner AL, Weyermann C. Prevalence of organic gunshot residues in police vehicles. Sci Justice 2020; 60:136-144. [PMID: 32111286 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated the organic gunshot residue (OGSR) background level of police vehicles in Switzerland. Specimens from 64 vehicles belonging to two regional police services were collected and analysed by LC-MS in positive mode. The driver's and back seats were sampled separately to monitor potential differences between locations and to assess the risks of a suspect being contaminated by OGSR during transportation to a police station. The results showed that most of the 64 vehicles were uncontaminated (44 driver's seats and 38 back seats respectively). Up to six of the seven targeted compounds were detected in a single sample, once on a driver's seat and twice on back seats. The contamination frequency generally decreased as the number of compounds detected together increased. The amounts detected were in the low ng range and less than amounts generally detected just after discharge on a shooter. Our data indicated that detecting a combination of four or more compounds on a police vehicle seat appears to be a relatively rare occurrence. The background contamination observed was most probably due to secondary transfer from police officers (e.g. through recent participation in a shooting session or firearm manipulation) or from firearms stored in the vehicles. The present results might be used as a recommendation to minimize contact of a suspect with contaminated surfaces if OGSR is implemented in routine work in parallel to IGSR analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Laure Gassner
- Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, University of Lausanne, Batochime, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Céline Weyermann
- Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, University of Lausanne, Batochime, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Castro-Espicalsky TL, Costa ST, Santiago BM, Freire AR, Daruge Júnior E, Prado FB, Rossi AC. Craniofacial injuries by firearms projectiles: An analysis of 868 deaths in the five regions of Brazil. J Forensic Leg Med 2020; 69:101888. [PMID: 32056805 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.101888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Firearms injuries have a legal and medico-legal importance, and are especially lethal when they reach the craniofacial regions of the victim. The present study aims to identify the characteristics of craniofacial lesions resulting from firearm projectiles, to register the most affected craniofacial regions by this type of injury and to verify the demographic profile of the victims. A retrospective study was carried out on the autopsy records produced in the first semester of 2015, in five Institutes of Legal Medicine in Porto Velho, situated in the cities of João Pessoa, Vitória, Porto Alegre and Brasília. Data extracted included sex, skin color and age of the victim, craniofacial region reached, shooting distance, shape and size of the injuries and manner of death (homicide, suicide or accident). Based on the 868 reports analyzed, it was possible to observe 1700 entrance lesions of firearm projectiles in craniofacial regions. Among cases of known manner of death, homicides were the most frequent (97.0%). It was observed a higher frequency of male victims (93.3%), mixed race (62.0%), between the ages of 12 and 29 years (59.4%). In all cases considered as suicide or accident there was only one entrance wound, but in 82.8% of the homicides there were multiple gunshot wounds. The craniofacial most affected regions were temporal (25.2%) and occipital (19.8%). The most common sites of projectiles exit were the temporal (25.3%) and parietal (16.1%). All cases of suicide were related to contact shot (69.2%) or close-range shot (30.8%), and among the homicides the distant range shots were more frequent (54.0%). The shape of entrance wounds was mostly circular (56.8%) and oval (31.3%), and among the exit injuries, the lesions were irregular (43.3%) and starry (24.1%). The entrance wounds showed smaller sizes than the exit lesions (p < 0.0001). The data obtained are useful for guiding research that takes into account craniofacial trauma caused by firearm projectiles, makes it possible to compare this data with those of other countries and can base investigative conclusions based on the analyzes discussed in the present work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talita Lima Castro-Espicalsky
- Department of Morphology, Anatomy Division, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Brazil
| | - Sarah Teixeira Costa
- Department of Morphology, Anatomy Division, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Brazil
| | - Bianca Marques Santiago
- Department of Clinics and Social Dentistry, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Rodrigues Freire
- Department of Morphology, Anatomy Division, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Daruge Júnior
- Department of Social Odontology, Forensic Dentistry Division, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Brazil
| | - Felippe Bevilacqua Prado
- Department of Morphology, Anatomy Division, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia Rossi
- Department of Morphology, Anatomy Division, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Brazil.
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Single shot, single sample, single instrument detection of IGSR and OGSR using LC/MS/MS. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 299:215-222. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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15
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An investigation on the secondary transfer of organic gunshot residues. Sci Justice 2019; 59:248-255. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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16
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Manganelli M, Weyermann C, Gassner AL. Surveys of organic gunshot residue prevalence: Comparison between civilian and police populations. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 298:48-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.02.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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