Date
July 2017
Overview
Firearms exposure has traditionally been monitored by screening for the presence of inorganic particles prevalent in gunshot residue (GSR). These inorganic compounds are associated with the primer in ammunition. Recent research efforts have explored alternative approaches for monitoring firearms exposure that screen for the presence of organic GSR (OGSR) components, which come from propellants and stabilizers.
Through the National Institute of Justice Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE), scientists at West Virginia University (WVU) evaluated novel adaptations to two existing technologies for their suitability as screening methods for OGSR. This report is a continuation of the OGSR evaluation, “Organic Gunshot Residue Analysis for Potential Shooter Determination,” by WVU, first reported by the FTCOE in May 2015. The methods evaluated herein include ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and inlet thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Funding for this Forensic Technology Center of Excellence report was provided by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.
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