Hair combing to collect organic gunshot residues (OGSR).
A protocol is presented for the collection and analysis of gunshot residues (GSR) from hair. A fine-toothed comb is used for collection of the residues. A small zip-closure bag serves as a container for both sample storage and extraction of the characteristic organic powder additives. The success of this residue recovery approach was tested on simulated shooters and victims using mannequin-supported human wig hair as well as on human shooters. Residues were collected from four weapons: a revolver and semi-automatic pistol, rifle and shotgun. One characteristic additive, nitroglycerin, was detected by capillary electrophoresis (CE) in the majority of the collection experiments.
MacCrehan
William A
WA
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA. william.maccrehan@nist.gov
Layman
Malinda J
MJ
Secl
Janelle D
JD
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary; D005389:Firearms; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000032:analysis*
D005996:Nitroglycerin