title: GSR2005--continuity of the ENFSI proficiency test on identification of GSR by SEM/EDX.
abstract: Within the framework of the ENFSI Expert Working Group "Firearms" a proficiency test on the detection and identification of GSR by energy-dispersive scanning electron microanalysis (SEM/EDX) is carried out in a 2 years term. The latest test was performed in 2005/2006 and was denoted as GSR2005. Seventy-five laboratories from 28 countries participated in this proficiency test and submitted in total 83 independent data-sets. The participating laboratories were requested to determine the total number of PbSbBa containing particles on a synthetic test sample following their own laboratory specific methods of automated GSR particle search and detection by SEM/EDX. Furthermore size and position of the detected particles had to be reported by the laboratories and were evaluated statistically. The results were compiled by means of z-scores according to the IUPAC and EURACHEM guidelines-assessing individual laboratory achievements (inter-laboratory) as well as intra-laboratory performance-and were compared to the results of the previous proficiency test run GSR2003 (1). The comparison shows that there is a noticeable improvement in the method's detection capability.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Science Institute, BKA, D-65173 Wiesbaden, Germany. ludwig.niewoehner@bka.bund.de
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Niewoehner
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andrasko
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biegstraaten
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gunaratnam
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uhlig
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antoni