Analysis and Comparison Gunshot Residue
Analysis and Comparison Gunshot residue is identified by its elemental composition or a combination of its elemental composition and particle structure. Today gunshot residue is collected by using a kit that is specifically for gunshot residue and contains metal studs with sticky tape on top for the resi- due to adhere to. After collection, instrumental analysis will be performed to look for the com- ponents of gunshot residue. In the past, forensic labs used atomic absorption spectrometry, which can tell which elements are present in a sample in order to identify which specimens to test for gunshot residue. This test looked for antimony and barium, both components of the primer explosive, and lead, which can be a component of the primer or the core of the bullet. The presence of these elements alone was considered indicative of, but not proof of, gunshot residue. Now many forensic labs have acquired scanning electron microscopes; these have been used for gunshot residue identification. These microscopes are very powerful, enabling the analyst to see the particles of gunshot residue. With an attachment called an energy-dis- persive X-ray spectrometer, the elemental composition of the particles can be determined.
