Experiment #9

Paraffin Casting

I. Objective
Learn the proper techniques of extracting gunpowder nitrates from the hands of the
person who fired a firearm.

II. Apparatus/Materials
Tripod, crucible tongs, kettle, paraffin wax, tirril burner, absorbent cotton, big brown
envelope, wire gauze

III. Procedure
1. Preparation
Let the subject fire a:

1.1. Caliber 38 revolver

1.2. 9 mm pistol

2. Paraffin Casting

2.1. Melt the paraffin wax in a kettle using low flame. Allow it to cool for a few
minutes before applying on both hands of the subject to tolerate the heat of the
melted paraffin wax.

2.2. Direct the subject to wash his hands under running water without using soap
or detergent. Wipe his hands with clean white cloth.

2.3. Get two pieces of bond paper and properly label each with the following
information:

2.4. Allow the subject to place his right and left hands on each of the labeled
bond paper, palms facing downward, and fingers closed together.

2.5. Using crucible tongs with cotton, apply the melted paraffin wax on the dorsal
portion of his hands starting from the thumb and the index finger to the rest of the
fingers including both sides of the hands.
2.6. When the hand is thoroughly coated with melted paraffin wax,place a thin layer of
absorbent cotton to reinforce the cast.
2.7. Apply again melted paraffin wax until the absorbent cotton is totally covered with
the melted wax.
2.8. Allow the paraffin cast to set and cool.
2.9. Direct the subject to remove his hands slowly out of the cast.
2.10 Cover the paraffin cast with a piece of bond paper. Staple all sides and place the
bond paper inside a big brown envelope. Seal it for proper handling and preservation of
evidence.
2.11 Record and illustrate your observations.

IV. Observation
1. Why is there a need to clean the area where you will do the paraffin casting?

2. Why does the subject have to wash his hands under running water without using
soap or detergent?

3. Why should all the parts of the hands, including the sides, be coated with melted
paraffin wax?
4. What happens when the melted paraffin wax begins to solidify before casting the
subject?

5. What happens if the melted paraffin wax is immediately applied on the hand after
heating?

6. How will you apply operational economy in the conduct of paraffin casting?

V. Post Laboratory Discussion

Guide Questions
1. What are the substances that leak out from the breech mechanism of a firearm
when it is fired?

2. When does gunpowder residue become embedded in the hands of the firer?

3. How are the gunpowder residues removed from the hands of the subject when
the melted paraffin wax is applied?
4. Describe the analytical paraffin wax used in paraffin casting?

5. What is paraffin casting?

6. What is produced after a person is subjected to paraffin casting?

7. What is extracted from the hands of the subject who fired a firearm once he is
subjected to paraffin casting?

8. When do you get a good paraffin cast?

9. Usually, how long will the gunpowder residue stay in the pores of the firer's skin?

10. How many days are required for a person to be subjected to paraffin casting?
 11. Why is an embalmed cadaver, who is suspected to have fired a firearm, no
longer be subjected to paraffin casting?

12. How is paraffin casting conducted on the clothing of the victim to determine the
presence of gunpowder residue?

13. What is the basis for determining the approximate distance of the shooter to the
victim?

VI. Conclusion

VII. Illustration
VIII. Documentation