Novel Tools for the Analysis of Organic and Inorganic Gunshot Residues: moving technology to the forefront

Description:
This presentation will discuss innovative standard materials and approaches to evaluate relevant aspects of the transfer and persistence of inorganic and organic gunshot residues that advance the understanding and interpretation of gunshot residue (GSR) evidence. The standards were developed for universal applicability. They can be applied to various matrices and examined by traditional methods such as SEM-EDS and mass spectrometry (GC-MS, LC-MS) and novel technology such as LIBS, LA-ICPMS, and ECD. This research also implemented novel synthetic skin substitutes to study deposition, transfer, and persistence mechanisms.
In collaboration with NIST, we investigated the capabilities of a novel invention that combines custom-made atmospheric samplers with high-speed videography and laser sheet scattering to gather information about the flow of GSR plumes and particles under various controlled experimental conditions.
Finally, the fast, selective, and sensitive GSR screening tools developed in phase I (LIBS and ECD) were tested at another level by collaborating with industry and forensic laboratories to assess pilot portable devices that can bring the technology to the crime scene.

Altogether, the attendees will appreciate how these novel approaches could help transform our discipline by providing fast screening tools and a leap of knowledge in understanding and interpreting GSR under contexts typically found in cases involving firearm-related incidents.

Speaker: Luis Arroyo - NIJ