Microchemical and micromorphological features of gunshot residue observed by combined use of AFM, SA-XPS and SEM + EDS

• Published in: Surface and interface analysis Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 502 - 506
• Main Authors: D'Uffizi, M., Falso, G., Ingo, G. M., Padeletti, G.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.08.2002; Wiley
• Subjects: Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; criminalistics; Electron, ion, and scanning probe microscopy; Exact sciences and technology; GSR; gunshot residues; microanalysis; Physics; SEM + EDS; Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Surface structure and topography; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Criminalistics; Atomic force microscopy; Scanning electron microscopy; Residues; Shooting; Microanalysis; Fire arm; Dispersive spectrometry; Micromorphology; X-ray photoelectron spectra
• ISSN: 0142-2421; 1096-9918
• DOI: 10.1002/sia.1348

Microchemical and micromorphological analytical methods have been used by law enforcement agencies to ascertain whether or not an individual has been involved recently in a firearm shooting by determining the presence of gunshot residue (GSR). In the present work, the microchemical and micromorphological features of the GSR particles deposited on the bullet and on the firing hands, collected using double‐sided tape, have been studied by means of the combined use of scanning electron microscopy + energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM + EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and selected‐area x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SA‐XPS). The results indicate that this advanced approach could disclose new micromorphological and microchemical features that could be useful for considerably increasing the confidence level of such determination. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.