A new method for collection and identification of gunshot residues from the hands of shooters.
This work presents a novel collection method for gunshot residues (GSR) using a sampling procedure based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution as a complexing agent on moistened swabs. Detection was via a sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HRICP-MS). The proposed collection and analytical method allowed detection of antimony (Sb), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb) after .38 shot tests. at detection limits of less than 1 microg L(-1) in four different areas of the hands of volunteers. This paper includes a discussion concerning hand areas near the thumb and forefinger as being more suitable for GSR collection as well as a comparison between differences observed using 2% diluted EDTA. 2% nitric acid solution, and simple deionized water as collecting solutions, proving the superior efficiency of EDTA in GSR recoveries.
Reis
Edson L T
EL
Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares-IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, Brazil.
Sarkis
Jorge E Souza
JE
Neto
Osvaldo N
ON
Rodrigues
Claudio
C
Kakazu
Maurício H
MH
Viebig
Sônia
S
D000965:Antimony / Q000032:analysis*; D001464:Barium / Q000032:analysis*; D002614:Chelating Agents; D004492:Edetic Acid; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms; D044709:Forensic Ballistics / Q000379:methods; D006225:Hand / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry*
D002614:Chelating Agents; D001464:Barium; D007854:Lead; D004492:Edetic Acid; D000965:Antimony