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Differentiation of Bullet Type Based on the Analysis of Gunshot Residue Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry *
Author(s) -
Udey Ruth N.,
Hunter Brian C.,
Smith Ruth Waddell
Publication year - 2011
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/j.1556-4029.2011.01836.x
Subject(s) - inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry , mass spectrometry , antimony , barium , chemistry , decomposition , copper , radiochemistry , shot (pellet) , inductively coupled plasma , analytical chemistry (journal) , chromatography , plasma , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics
Porcine tissue samples shot with two different types of bullets, jacketed and nonjacketed, were collected in the fresh state and throughout moderate decomposition. Wound samples were microwave‐digested and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) to detect all elements present at measurable levels in gunshot residue (GSR). Elements detected included antimony (Sb), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb), which are considered characteristic of GSR, as well as iron (Fe) and copper (Cu). These five elements were used to differentiate shot tissue and unshot tissue, as well as tissue shot by the two different bullet types, both in the fresh state and throughout moderate decomposition. The concentrations of Cu, Sb, and Pb were able to distinguish the two bullet types in fresh tissue samples at the 95% confidence level. Cu and Pb were able to differentiate the bullet types throughout moderate decomposition at the 99% confidence level.