GUNSHOT RESIDUE

GUNSHOT RESIDUE

Basically, comes from the powder component of bullet,

elements from cartridge cases and gun barrel where the
bullet passes.
Upon discharge of firearm, gunpowder residue may be
deposited on a person at close proximity, so the
interpretation as to who discharged the firearm should be
made with caution.
Gunpowder residue may be found on the skin or clothing
of the person who discharged the gun, on the entrance
bullet hole of garment or wound of the victim or on other
target materials at the scene.
 Found on the clothing of
Found on the skin the person
 Components Of Gunshot Residue

1. Primer or Lead residue

2. Gunpowder Residue

3. Elemental Component from Cartridge Cases

Residue
 Composition Of Primer

Primer elements may be easier to detect in residues

because they do not get as hot as the powder.
1. Major primer elemental composition: lead,
barium, or antimony
2. Trace element: aluminum, sulfur, tin, calcium,
potassium, chlorine, or silicon
3. Inorganic compound: mercury fulminates
Note: Primer residue can be found in targets or
wounds at considerable distance from the muzzle up
to 200 meters.
 Composition Of Gunpowder

1. Contains up to 23 organic compounds

2. Nitrocellulose is virtually always present

along with nitrate and nitrogen containing
compound such as Diphenylamine or DPA
(stabilizer in the powder)
 Types of Gunpowder
1. Single Based – when the basic ingredient is
nitrocellulose

2. Double Based – nitrocellulose +1 to 40%

nitroglycerine

3. Triple Based – nitrocellulose + nitroglycerine +

nitroguanidine
Composition Of Cartridge Case, Bullet Coating
and Metal Jacket

1. Cartridge and Primer Cases: BRASS, COPPER

2. Bullet cores: lead, antimony and few iron

alloy

3. Bullet Jackets: brass, some are alloy or

aluminum alloy. Some contain nickel.
 GUNSHOT RESIDUE EXAMINATION
Purpose:
Gunshot residue examination are performed to
help the investigators in determining whether a
person has discharged a firearm or not; whether
a firearm has discharged or not; and the
possible gunshot range or the distance of the
shooter to the victim. Both hands of the suspect
as well as those of the victim, the firearms and
clothing of the victim must be examined to
determine the presence of the gunpowder
nitrates.
TWO TYPES OF POWDER USED IN THE AMMUNITION
OF SMALL FIREARMS
1. Black Powder – this consists of a mixture of carbon
(Charcoal), sulfur, and potassium nitrate. This
mixture is used as an igniter in smokeless gun
propellant. It consists of mixture of 15% Charcoal,
10% Sulfur, and 75% Potassium nitrates. Aluminun
is added to enhance the burning property.
2. Smokeless Powder – This mixture consists of
Cellulose or glycerol nitrate combined with some
stabilizers (nitrobenzene or graphite nitrates,
dichromate and oxalates).
Black Powder Smokeless Powder
 PRIMERS

- To explode a low explosive, flame is required. In

guns, the flame is applied by means of a primer.
Primer produces flame on percussion. A typical
primer consists of a case containing an initiating
explosive such as mercury fulminate, an oxidizing
agent such as potassium chlorate or barium
nitrate, and a fuel such as antimony sulfide. This
component is the basis for examination of
gunshot residue particularly primer residue for
distance determination.
 DETECTION OF GUNSHOT RESIDUE
1. Paraffin test
2. Lead residue (detection limit: up to 30 feet and always present on
the opposite sides of the penetrated target). Reported from
intermediate glass target present (Messler and Armstrong, 1978).
3. Gunpowder residue examination (detection limit: highly variable
up to 20 cm, and up to 21 inches is common)
4. Other examination

- The last two methods are classical. Color development or

modern methods such as Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA),
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), Scanning Electron
Microscopy with energy dispersive analysis (SEM-EDA) and
inductively coupled plasma with mass Spectrophotometry (ICP-
MS) are used.
 History of Paraffin test/dermal nitrate or
Diphenylamine test
Paraffin test – was first originated from cuba by
Dr. Gonzalo Itturios.
1933 – Teodoro Gonzales, Mexico City
introduced the test in the United States.

In this test, the hands were coated with a

layer of melted paraffin. After cooling the cast
were removed and treated with
Diphenylamine (5% DPA in 60% sulfuric).
 Methods Of Examination
Paraffin Test
To determine whether a person has discharged a
firearm, the PARAFFIN-DIPHYNELAMINE test is used.
The basis of this test is the presence of nitrates in the
gunpowder residue. When a warmed melted paraffin
wax is applied on the hands of the alleged shooter, it
will cause the pores of the skin to open and exude the
particles of gunpowder residue. These particles of
gunpowder residue are being extracted by the paraffin
cast and will appear as blue specks, when
diphenylamine reagent is added on the cast. It must be
noted that the specks are generally located on the area
of the thumb and forefingers.
 What Is The Principle Behind The Paraffin Test?
While the burned and partially burned particles (gunpowder
residue) is deposited on the target and in the barrel of the gun,
some of these burned and partially burned particles may escape
around the breech of the gun and some may be embedded on
the exposed surface of the hand/s of the person discharging the
firearm.
Thus the presence of these residue can be detected by way of
paraffin examination.
As a rule in, in the paraffin examination, the Forensic
Chemist/Chemical officer should personally conduct the paraffin
casting on the alleged shooter. However, a competent laboratory
technician under the supervision of the examiner-on-case may
also perform the paraffin casting. But it is the Forensic
Chemist/Chemical officer who should examine the paraffin casts
taken from both hand of the alleged shooter to determine the
presence of gunpowder nitrates.
 Paraffin casting of the alleged shooter shall
only be done within seventy-two (72) hours
from the time of the alleged shooting incident.
No person shall be subjected to paraffin
casting after the lapse of the specified period.
Embalmed Cadaver who allegedly
discharged a firearm shall no longer be
subjected to paraffin examination because of
the impossibility of extracting the gunpowder
nitrates from the former’s hands.
 TAKING OF PARAFFIN CASTS
MATERIALS AND APPARATUS:
Paraffin wax
Absorbent cotton
Bond Paper
Burner
Beaker or casserole
Tong
 PROCEDURE
a. Heat the paraffin wax in the container until it melts. Allow cooling for a few minutes so that it will not burn the
skin

b. Let the subject wash his hands with water without using any soap or detergent. Wipe the hands of the subject
with clean absorbent cotton.

c. Let the subject place his hands on a clean sheet of bond paper with palms facing downward and the fingers
closed together. Using the spoon or tong with cotton, pour the melted paraffin wax on the hands of the subject
from the thumb and index fingers and the dorsal portion to the little finger side of the hands.
d. Cover the hands and fingers thoroughly with paraffin wax and place a thin
layer of absorbent cotton to reinforce the wax.

e. Pour another layer of the wax until the absorbent cotton has totally absorbed
the wax.

f. Allow the wax to cool the solidify before peeling them off.

g. When cool, direct the subject to move his fingers first and slowly moving his
hands out from the casts.

h. Place the bond paper the case number, name of the subject, time and date,
technician who took the cast, witnesses and label the right and left hand.

i. Place another bond paper on top of the paraffin casts and staple together.

j. Place the paraffin casts inside an envelope or a box for proper preservation.
NOTE:
It must be noted that upon casting, the melted
paraffin wax penetrates the minute crevices of the
skin thus, the burned are partially burned
gunpowder nitrates which are embedded on the
hands of the shooter are extracted. Upon application
of Diphenylamine (DPA) reagent on the paraffin
casts, the appearance of “tailing deep blue specks”
indicates the presence of gunpowder nitrates.
 Paraffin Wax
– Is a white, translucent, tasteless, odorless solid consisting
of a mixture of solid hydrocarbons of high molecular
weight. It is insoluble in water and acids and soluble in
benzene, ligroin, warm alcohol, chloroform, turpentine,
carbon disulfide, and olive oil. Combustible, auto ignition
temperature 473 F (245degree C).
– The melted paraffin wax penetrates the minute crevices of
the skin upon application, thus, adhering if there are
particles present. When the cast are peeled, the burned
and partially burned particles are extracted. A person
firing a gun will likely have the particles located above the
thumb and forefingers since this are the surfaces exposed
to the gun.
Paraffin Wax
 What should be noted in the interpretation of
the results:
Time of Reaction
- number and characteristics of blue and
minute specks

- the location and character of the blue

specks

- distribution and location

Different names of this test:

- lunge’s test

- Diphenylamine test

- Dermal nitrate test

- Gonzales test – named after the one who

improved the test
Is there any means of removing these nitrates
from the hands? How long will they stay in
the pores?

- None. Ordinary washing will not remove the

nitrates from the pores of the skin. Usually,
gunpowder nitrates that are embedded on the
skin stay for 72 hours. That is why paraffin
casting should be conducted within the
specified period.
 Substances Giving False Positive Result

1. Fertilizers
2. Explosives
3. Tobacco
4. Urine
5. Certain cosmetics
6. Food samples
7. Cigarette
Will these substances not give positive result
for paraffin test?

- If the hands of the subject person are

contaminated with nitrates other than from
gunpowder, one will expect to find smudges or
just a smear of blue color or a conglomeration
of blue specks. But nitrates from gunpowder
appear as blue specks with tailings, because
these particle were embedded into the hands
with force.
Is paraffin test result a conclusive evidence?
Why?

- No. It is just a corroborative evidence which

intends to support the testimony of
eyewitness/es. There are instances wherein a
person who actually discharged a firearm
would still give a negative result to the paraffin
test because of several factors.
 What are these factors?

1. Types of caliber of ammunition

2. Use of gloves
3. Length of the barrel
4.Age of the gun/efficiency of mechanism
5. Direction of firing
6. Wind direction and velocity
7.Humidity/percentage moisture in air
8. When 72 hours had already lapsed (3 days)
 Types of caliber of ammunition. A hand
Discharging a revolver is more likely to give a
positive result for gunpowder nitrates compared
to that of a hand discharging a pistol. In an
automatic pistol, the chamber is an integral part
of the barrel, whereas in the revolver, the
chamber is located in the cylinder and
separated from the barrel with airspace. Thus,
leakage of powder in a revolver is more likely to
occur.
Revolver Pistol
 False Positive result
1. Contamination or transfer of gunshot residue
(GSR)to the body by mishandling , or when
the body is heavily contaminated by GSR
from previous shooting.
2. Washing of hands where samples are
collected.
3. Type of ammunition such as rifle and shot
gun.
 Length of the barrel. A weapon of 2-inch
barrel will deposit residue over a larger area
than a weapon of 5-inches barrel (even if they
are discharged from the same distance with the
same type of ammunition). In a longer barrel, the
hand is farther away from the muzzle end of the
gun. It takes a bullet to travel in more time, thus
using up/burning up more, if not all, of the nitrates.
In a short barrel , the bullet travels through the
barrel in less time leaving behind a greater amount
of unburned particles.
 Age of the gun/efficiency of mechanism.
Complete combustion or the conversion of all
nitrates into its end product (CO,CO,N,O,-OH) is
more likely to occur in a new weapon compared
to an old one. Besides, leakage of gunpowder is
more likely to happen in the old weapon where
the breech mechanism is no longer tightly
fitted.
 Direction of firing. More powder residue
will be obtained when the gun is discharged
pointing upward than downward. Gunpowder
residues have weight and will naturally fall down
because of gravity.
Wind direction and velocity. In high
velocity (strong wind), the powder residues will
be blown in the direction of the wind. One is
more likely to be positive for gunpowder nitrates if
there is no wind, or the wind direction is towards
the shooter.
Humidity/percentage moisture in air.
Humidity lessens extent of combustion yielding more
gunpowder nitrates.
False positive reaction- smear of blue color of
conglomeration of blue specks on both dorsal
and palm aspects of the hand.

Failure to find traces of nitrate on the hand of the

person not prove that he did not fire a gun. But it is
submitted that the paraffin test has some value due to
the psychological effect on the persons whose hands
were found positive. Also, the finding of actual traces of
gunpowder nitrates on the hand/s of the person does not
conclusively determine or establish that he has
discharged a gun. It is possible that are GPR particle may
have been blown on the hand directly from the barrel of
the gun being discharged by another person.
Gunpowder Residue Test on Firearms
The diphenylamine reagent is also applied to cotton
swabbing of the barrel and chambers of the gun to
determine if the firearm was discharged. A deep blue
color resulting from the reaction of nitrates with
reagent indicates presence of gunpowder residue.
Established Forensic Rules:
a. The Forensic Chemist on case shall conduct the
gunpowder residue examination (GPR) without delay.
b. After the examination is done, the firearm shall the
returned to the representative of the requesting unit
if the request is solely for gunpowder residue (GPR)
examination, or submitted to the FAID if ballistic
examination is required.
Gunshot Range (GSR) Determination (Also known as gunshot
distance determination)
When a firearm is discharged, gunpowder residue may also
be deposited on the clothing of the victim. The size and
density of the pattern of gunpowder residue found on the
clothing are the main factors considered in determining the
approximate distance of the shooter to the victim. As the
distance to the victim increases, the size of pattern expands
while density decreases and vice-versa.

Distance determination- the method of determining the

distance between the firearm and the target. This is usually
based on the distance of the powder patterns or the spread
of the shot pattern.
 Importance of Distance Determination
1. In connection to self-defense pleas
2. In the distinction between murder and suicide. It is
possible to state with certainty the distance of the gun
from the target by means of the patterns and residues left
on the target. Not only the type of gun, but also the
condition and type of ammunition that will affect this
pattern.

In a certaining the gunshot range (GSR) the

examiner should note and observe the following:
3. Entrance and Exit holes
4. Powder residue pattern (burning, singeing, smudging,
tattooing – a black coarsely peppered pattern)
Entrance and Exit holes:
Entrance hole contains gunpowder residue
(bullet wipe residue) and it is slightly burned.
The diameter of entrance hole is smaller
than the exit hole.
The exit hole is frayed outward while
entrance hole is inward.
Other Entrance hole characteristics:
a. Angled bullet entrance hole has elongated hole.
b. Contact fires have uneven margins but all entrance holes typically
have even margins.
c. Grazing bullet hole (several small holes created from a folded
garment)

Classification of gunshot distance

- Burning (direct)
- Singeing (1 to 2 inches)
- Smudging (2 to 8 inches)
- Tattooing (8 to 18 inches)

The distance of the muzzle of the gun to the target is classified into
three (3):
1. Direct contact
2. 2 inches to 36 inches away
Test for gunshot residue (GSR)
- nitrate and
- lead residue chemical examination
Characteristics of Gunshot wounds
a. Direct/Contact wounds
The principle damage is more visible due to the flame
and the muzzle blast than the penetration of bullet.
The following observation may be noted:
1. Gaping hole where fabric is badly torn
2. Blackened area surrounding the bullet hole
3. The presence of partially burned powder residues
around the entrance hole
b. Wounds inflicted at a distance from 2-36 inches
If the gun is discharged closely to the body of
the victim, two types of discoloration will be
observed around the hole of the entrance
namely: (1) smudging and (2) powder tattooing
(black coarsely peppered pattern).
Smudging is produced when the gun is held about
2 inches to the maximum of 8 inches. The smoke
and soot from the burned pores are deposited
around the hole of the entrance producing a
dirty appearance.
The Size of the Smudge Depends upon the following:
A. Length of the Barrel. A weapon of 2 inch barrel
will deposit residue over a larger area than a
weapon of 5 inch barrel (even if they are fired from
the distance with the same type of ammunition). In
a longer barrel, the hand is farther away from the
muzzle end of the gun. It takes a bullet to travel in
more time, thus, using up, burning up more, if not
all, of the nitrates. In a short barrel, the bullet
travels through the barrel in less time in leaving
behind a greater amount of unburned particles.
B. Age of the gun/efficiency of mechanism.
Complete combustion or the conversion of all
nitrates into its end product is more likely to
occur in anew weapon compared to an old
one. Besides, leakage of gunpowder is more
likely to happen in the old weapon where the
breech mechanism is no longer tightly fitted.
C. Direction of Firing. More powder residues will
be obtained when the gun is fired upward
than downward. Gunpowder residues have
weight and will naturally fall down because of
gravity.
D. Wind Direction and Velocity. In high velocity
(strong wind), the powder residues will be
blown in the direction of the wind. One is
more likely to be positive for gunpowder
nitrates if there is no wind, or the direction is
away from the body.
E. Humidity/percentage moisture in air.
Humidity lessens the extent combustion
yielding more gunpowder nitrates.
 Powder tattooing produces black coarsely peppered pattern.
Individual specks of tattooing around the hole are visible by
the
naked eye.

The area of blackening around the perforation will be found

to diminish in size as the muzzle of the gun is held further
away from the target.

Take note that the size of the area of powder tattooing will
also depend on the following:
- Caliber
- Powder charge
- Distance of firing
 Individual specks of tattooing around the hole
are visible to the naked eye. The area of
blackening around the perforation will be found
to diminish in size as the muzzle of the gun is
held further and the distance of 8 inches,
blackening around the hole will completely
disappear. A few individual specks of tattooing
will be visible to the naked eye.
c. Wounds inflected at a distance of more than 36
inches:
- Powder tattooing is seldom present
- Nitrates found will not be sufficient for GSR
Bullet Comparison – a type of examination a microscope which is
commonly used in comparison of an empty shell containing
characteristics marks from groves of the gun barrel and firing pin of
specific firearm used.
Other methods of examination – to determine whether the victim
was holding a firearm, one method used is by spraying the hands of
the victim with ferrozine spray to determine the presence of iron
traces. (Lee, 1986) Hydroxyguinoline test with fluorescent
photography can also used. (Stevens and Messler, 1974)
A suicide victim’s hands are stained with orange-brown color upon
contact with gun barrels following death, presumably from
perspiration with prolonged post-mortem interval of intact.
Latent fingerprints can be detected in cartridge and expended shell
casing. It is latent because the substance from perspiration, mixed
with oils from sebaceous glands, are transferred via a substance on
the skin ridges to an object. Increase of temperature and low
humidity decrease persistence of fingerprints. Brass retains
fingerprints than nickel-plated materials.
FIREARM EXAMINATION
Method used to determine the probable time the firearm has been
discharged:
a. Lucas Test
A characteristics smell that decreases in intensity with lapse of time is present
immediately after firing but even after several weeks some slight smell
remains.

b. Odor (Hydrogen Sulfide)

This is another product resulting from combustion of gunpowder which is
present in the gaseous state. This compound can be detected by means of
lead acetate paper test.
If the breech of the gun is kept closed, this persists between 2-3 hours.

Sulfide – the greater part disappears in about 4-5 hours but frequently a
trace remains for a longer time, the longest period being 10 hours.
c. Odor of the Barrel
As a rule, no rust can be detected inside the barrel of a firearm if
such firearm has not been discharged. But if the firearm has
been discharged, iron salts are formed and can be detected
inside the barrel. these iron salts are soon oxidized resulting in
the formation of rust. The formation of rust is affected by the
humidity of the air so that in the interpretation of the result,
these factor must always be considered.
d. Presence of Nitrates (by cotton swabbing method)
Nitrates diminished after a lapse of time. Nitrates can be
detected by swabbing a portion of residue in a barrel and mixing
the residue with Diphenylamine solution (DPA)
e. Dermal Nitrate test
the test is designed to determine the presence of gunpowder
nitrates on the hands of the alleged shooter.
Distance from which the gun has been
discharged
Significance:

a. In connection with self defense

b. In the distinction between murder and

suicide. It can be stated with certainty the
distance of the gun from the target by way of
patterns of residues left on the victim.
Scorching or Singeing
If a firearm was discharged very closed to the target
as in a case of alleged suicide and sometimes in
murder, burns or scorches may result. This resulting
reaction is caused by flame that emerges from the
muzzle and travels only a short distance from it.
This distance will vary with the length of the barrel,
the size of the powder charge and the degree which
the bullet fill the barrel. The presence of scorch is a
proof that the firearm was discharged a few inches
from the target. Scorching is very rare if the victim
was shot 3 inches or more away from the muzzle.
Other Methods of Examination
AAS – Automatic Absorption
Spectrophotometer
NAA – Neutron Activation Analysis
SEM-EDX – Scanning Electron Microscope with
Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis
ICP-MS – Inductively couled plasma with Mass
Spectrophotometer
COLLECTION, PRESERVATION AND TRANSIT OF SPECIMEN
Remember:
a. Clothing removed from the victim should be cautiously
and carefully handled to prevent powder residues from
becoming dislodged.
b. Do not wad the specimen or pack it loosely for
shipment.
c. Secure the area to be tested between two layers of
heavy cardboard fastened together tightly to prevent
the specimen from becoming postlude about in the
transit.
d. Each specimen should be wrapped tightly and marked.
e. Clothing heavily smeared with blood should be
dried thoroughly before packing.
f. Gun recovered from the scene of the crime and
ammunition available should be preserved.
g. Person suspected to have discharged a
firearm should be subjected to a paraffin test.
Examination must be performed immediately
and in no case should it be postponed 72 hours
after the shooting.