Premium
Ear as an alternative sampling site for GSR analysis following shotgun discharge
Author(s) -
Akçan Ramazan,
Demircioglu Derya,
Aydogan Halit Canberk,
Cavlak Mehmet,
Erkan Emre,
Demiray Emirhan,
Mercan Mustafa,
Rıza Tümer Ali
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.14672
Subject(s) - shot (pellet) , shotgun , sampling (signal processing) , one shot , audiology , medicine , computer science , engineering , computer vision , chemistry , mechanical engineering , biochemistry , organic chemistry , filter (signal processing) , gene
Detection of GSR particles potentially indicates that a person fired a gun or somehow involved to a shooting event. GSR on the shooter's hand, face, and clothing may disappear within hours and with sweat secretion, washing or cleaning to remove evidences. Due to its anatomical properties, ears are relatively protected; therefore, we aimed to identify GSR particles on ears, to compare its anatomical parts of ears, and compare ears with common GSR sampling sites, based on firing frequency. A 12‐gauge semi‐automatic shotgun was used. In the 4‐week study, one shot in the first week, two consecutive shots in second week, three shots in third week, and five shots in fourth week were fired by six participants. Samples were taken from MAE, CA, and AAECA of both ears and common GSR sampling sites. The characteristic 3‐component structure (Pb/Sb/Ba) of the samples was analyzed by SEM/EDX. Right CA was the most suitable area for sampling, which might be attributed to posture of body during targeting. Right ear was the most suitable area to take samples from CA or MAE in 3‐shot group. Besides, left AAECA in 1‐ and 2‐shot groups and the left MAE in 5‐shot group were the most suitable areas for GSR sampling. In conclusion, ear seems to be a valuable alternative for detection of GSR particles, due to its complex anatomical structure potentially preventing loss of GSR with daily cleaning. Findings suggested that crime scene investigation teams and criminal laboratory staff should consider ear as a valuable alternative for GSR detection.