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Fully Automated GSR
Fully Automated GSR
When a gun is fired, small particles are generated The elements constituting GSR can originate from the
during the explosion of the gunpowder. The particles, primer, the bullet, a coating or jacket on the bullet,
referred to as gunshot residue (GSR), exit the gun cartridge components, and previous residues in the
backwards and are deposited on the hand and clothes barrel. Residue particles are arbitrarily divided into two
of the person firing the gun. Because GSR particles have types, depending on their primary source: primer
distinctive characteristics, their presence contributes particles and bullet particles. Particles containing Pb,
evidence that suspect persons have been close to Ba and Sb, and those containing Ba and Sb (also referred
a gun being fired. This kind of evidence is often used to as three- and two-component particles) are typical
in criminal cases involving the use of firearms. inorganic components from the primer and are
classified as primer particles (Figure 2). Large numbers
GSR contains elements that result from the propellant of particles composed mainly of Pb originate from the
and primer decomposing, as well as from the bullet and bullet and are termed bullet particles.
cartridge case. Samples of GSR are taken by pressing
adhesive material to areas of interest, such as the
fingers, the top part of the hand and the clothes, to
remove any particles. The particles are transferred from
the area of interest onto a small sample for examination
in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) linked to an
X-ray micro-analytical system equipped with a GSR
software package. This software package allows
automated, unattended classification of GSR particles
(Figure 1).
Performing an analysis
The steps involved in performing an analysis are as
Figure 3. BSD image at low magnification, used to separate and
follows: locate particles.
• Tape is mounted on the stubs
• Stubs are placed on a multi-stub holder
• Multi-stub holder is mounted on the SEM specimen
stage
• The stub is split into multiple fields which are scanned • All results are stored (on disk)
one by one A report of all detected particles is produced after
• Each area is scanned for particles using atomic number each sample
Z-window back-scattered electron imaging (BSEI)
• The position and size of the candidate particles are The backscattered electron signal is used to detect the
recorded particles. Typical GSR particles appear as bright particles
• The particles are revisited by the electron beam to within the image and by applying a threshold to the
perform an X-ray analysis signal the particles are distinguished and located by the
• The emitted X-ray spectrum from each individual software (figure 3). After system calibration, up to 20
particle is compared to a classification scheme samples can be analysed.
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Figure 4. Substage layout page to store the 20 sample positions.. Figure 5. Sample configuration se- up page.
fast and accurate recording of the sample positions speed of the automatic analysis depending on how
without moving the stage (Figure 4). much of the sample can be captured in a single frame.
Information such as sample size, search area, sample
array, number of samples, minimum size of searched The following ‘no-find’ time can be quoted:
particles, and percentage of stub to be analysed, are
defined. Search “stop” criteria and “run-time” options Surface area = 100 mm2
such as maximum number of particles per sample and Search criteria = 0.5 micron particle (1 pixel)
‘pause’ are available (Figure 5). Magnification = 63x
No. of fields = 30
GSR Analysis Throughput Specification Time = 25 minutes
The throughput of GSR software solutions can be
described by the number of detected and measured Surface area = 100 mm2
(classified by EDX) particles per unit of time. However, Search criteria = 0.5 micron particle (2 pixels)
particle density typically is very low and the throughput Magnification = 130x
of GSR solutions is typically expressed as ‘no found’ No. of fields = 130
time, i.e. the time needed to scan empty fields (without Time = 100 minutes
finding particles). “No found” time critically depends on
search criteria. The search criteria include minimum On real-life samples, the GSR sw will measure 10 – 20
particle size (diameter) and the minimum number of particles per minute. This includes scanning of the field,
pixels per particle. These criteria will determine the detecting the particles, measuring and classifying of the
search magnification and therefore will influence the particles and moving the stage to the next field.
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Classification.
The position and size of the candidate particles is
recorded automatically and a revisit of the electron
beam is used to analyse the particle. The emitted X-ray
spectrum of each individual particle is recorded and
compared to a classification scheme. The software is
equipped with a spectrum stripping routine, which will
result in a more accurate classification in case of severe
overlap between elements eg, Sb and Ca and/or Sn).
It is possible to create your own classes or configure the
selected class with a maximum of 8 elements. User-
definable classes can include quantification thresholds.
Stop criteria can be set for each class. Up to 4000 user
definable classes can be defined for each run (Figure 6). Figure 6. User definable classification scheme to set up the
individual classes.
A set of classes can be saved in order to create multiple
classes for multiple disciplines.
Reporting.
Once the run has started, critical data on each detected
particle are stored in spreadsheet format to yield a
complete results file. This file can be reviewed, particle
Figure 7. GSR Stub Particle Map to show the specific classified
by particle, directly after the run has been completed or particles on the stub.
at a later date. A single page, easy to read report is
automatically generated after each sample has been
analysed. A complete GSR Parameter List or Stub Particle
Map can also be printed. The Stub Particle Map will
show an overview of all detected particles, classified by
type (Figure 7).
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Relocation.
Relocation and reclassification are often required.
Particles can be revisited easily for further imaging and
verification by simple double-click on the particle
number. The high precision motorised stage of the FEI Figure 8. GSR Spectra Utility for fast investigation of the multiple
stored spectra
Quanta SEM will center and zoom the particle
automatically to be relocated very easily (Figure 9).
The EDX analysis can be started and reclassification
carried out using the default GSR condition.
Alternatively, the EDX analysis can be started within
the GSR application to acquire a spectrum over longer
time and save it to disk for use in the final report
(Figures 10 and 11).
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Sample holders
A dedicated holder for 8 and 20 stubs is available,
designed for ease of use. The base-plate of the holder
will stay in the SEM and the top part of the holder can
be removed for easy loading and unloading. Multiple
sample holders are available, therefore one can store,
temporarily, several cases.
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Forensic SEM
The FEI Quanta SEM offers, beside conventional
imaging under high vacuum conditions using the
traditional SE detector, the possibility to image the
specimen surface in a gaseous environment at chamber
pressures in the range of 0.1 to 1.3 mbar (130 Pa) by
employing backscatter detection (as needed for GSR)
for elemental contrast or the dedicated GSED (Gaseous
Secondary Electron Detector) for topographic contrast.
The presence of the gas inside the chamber is two fold:
it will eliminate the charging effects of the uncoated
sample and the gas is used for imaging by use of
dedicated detectors (Figure 12).
Figure 12. Forensic SEM
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