Odd Semester End Term Practical Examination

Chemical Composition Of GSR

Submitted to: Submitted by:
Mr. Gurvinder Singh Bumbrah Yash Kamboj
A51605918039
B.Sc. (Hons) Forensic Science
Session (2018-2021)
• Aim: To know what is the composition of GSR.
• Material Required: Gunshot residue.
• Theory:
• Gunshot residue(GSR) is also known as cartridge discharge residue(CDR) , gunfire
residue or firearms discharge residue(FDR).
• These are unburnt or partially burnt particles, gases, non-volatile substances
coming from primer, propellant, bullet and firearm.
• These are visible and invisible depending on various factors.
• There location, presence or absence plays an important role in investigative trials.
The components of Gunshot residues depends upon:
1. Formulation of primer
2. Formulation of propellant
3. The barrel scrapings
4. The composition of projectile

5. Ammunition primers consist of four basic chemical components:

• The Initiator: Earlier mercury fulminate, lead azide was used but in modern primer
lead styphnate is used.
• The oxidizer: Barium nitrate is most commonly used as an oxidizer in small-arms
ammunition, but barium peroxide, lead nitrate or lead peroxide are also used.
• The Fuel: Antimony sulfide is commonly used as fuel in primers, but calcium silicate,
lead thiocyanate, powdered aluminum etc.
• The sensitizer: Commonly used sensitizers are tetracene, TNT(Trinitrotoluene) etc.
2. Gunpowder: Black powder is composed of 75% potassium
nitrate(salt peter), 15% Sulphur and 10% charcoal.
• Combustion product of black powder- carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide, carbonates, thiosulphate.
• Smokeless Powder:
• Single base- Nitrocellulose(gun cotton)
• Double base- Nitrocellulose + Nitro-glycerine
• All smokeless powders in addition to explosive ingredients, contain a
number of additives.
• Additives fulfil the role as stabilizers, plasticizers, flash inhibitors,
coolants, surface lubricants.
Bullet:
• Core of bullet:
• Lead85% + Antimony 15%, Lead90-98% + Tin2-10%
• Jacket of bullet- copper alloys with Zinc or Tin, steel

Detectable inorganic components of GSR:

• Lead, Barium, Antimony, copper from jacket of bullet, iron from barrel
• Nitrates and Nitrite, Nickel from nickel coated shells.
Detectable organic components of GSR:
• Nitrocellulose- unburned and semi-burned, Nitroglycerin
• Diphenylamine- stabilizer, Dinitrotoluene(DNT)- plasticizer
• Bullet lubricants
Uniqueness of composition- when Pb, Sb and Ba combine into a single
particle, it is defined unique to GSR. Each element of these combination are
classified as characteristics of GSR.
Result: Components of Gunshot residue was studied.
Significance: The examination and evaluation of GSR is helped to solve a
number of problems-
• To find whether the firearm has been fired or not.
• To find whether the given ammunition been fired or not.
• To find who fired the gun.
• To find whether suspect shoot or suicide.
• To find the range of firing.
• To find whether firearm wound is an entry wound or exit wound.
•THANK YOU