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Montoriol R, Guilbeau-Frugier C, Aries S, Onfroy L, Lombardi V, Payré B, Cassard H, Feki N, Telmon N, Savall F. Gunshot residue detection in stagnant water: SEM-EDX or ICP-MS? A preliminary study. J Forensic Sci 2021; 66:1267-1275. [PMID: 33934339 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The identification of gunshot residue (GSR) on wounds enables the differentiation of entry and exit wounds. Unfortunately, studies analyzing GSR on degraded bodies have been poorly documented, and no data exist regarding GSR detection after stagnant water immersion. The aim of this preliminary experimental study was to detect GSR on wounds altered in stagnant water, using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X (SEM-EDX) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Shots were performed on sheep limbs with a 22LR at a distance of 20 cm. The limbs were then submerged in stagnant water and analyzed on days 0, 6, and 14. SEM-EDX was performed on previously dehydrated wounds. For ICP-MS analysis, the wounds were rubbed with a cotton swab that was then analyzed. In the SEM studies, a higher number of particles were detected in entry wounds compared to exit wounds under every set of experimental conditions. Unfortunately, SEM-EDX failed to detect GSR particles, even on day 0. ICP-MS enabled the detection of Pb, Sb, and Ba at every stage with higher quantities on entry than in exit. These elements remained detectable following limb immersion. ICP-MS enabled differentiate entry from exit wounds, even after immersion in stagnant water. Nevertheless, when manually swabbing the wounds, quantities of matter collected is highly variable. ICP-MS is a more suitable technique than SEM-EDX for GSR identification of wounds after decomposition in stagnant water; however, standardization is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Montoriol
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Rangueil-Larrey Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Céline Guilbeau-Frugier
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Rangueil-Larrey Hospital, Toulouse, France.,Centre de Microscopie Electronique Appliquée à la Biologie, Faculté de Médecine, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Valentin Lombardi
- Laboratoire AMIS CNRS UMR 5288, Faculté de Médecine de Purpan-37 allées Jules Guesde, Toulouse, France
| | - Bruno Payré
- Centre de Microscopie Electronique Appliquée à la Biologie, Faculté de Médecine, Toulouse, France
| | - Hervé Cassard
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Pathologie des ruminants, Toulouse, France
| | - Nihel Feki
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Rangueil-Larrey Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Norbert Telmon
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Rangueil-Larrey Hospital, Toulouse, France.,Laboratoire AMIS CNRS UMR 5288, Faculté de Médecine de Purpan-37 allées Jules Guesde, Toulouse, France
| | - Fréderic Savall
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Rangueil-Larrey Hospital, Toulouse, France.,Laboratoire AMIS CNRS UMR 5288, Faculté de Médecine de Purpan-37 allées Jules Guesde, Toulouse, France
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