Abstract

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used to determine the period of time that a shooter will test positive for gunshot residue (GSR) after firing a revolver. Multiple rounds of primer were fired and samples collected at multiple hour intervals using an adhesive tape pressed against the skin. Samples were analyzed directly using a commercially available laser-induced breakdown spectrometer where barium emission (originating from barium nitrate in the primer) was observed. Population statistics were used to compare suspected GSR to a library of blank samples from which a threshold value was established. Statistically significant results, positive for GSR, are obtained 5.27 days after a firearm discharge using these techniques.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the detection of gunshot residues on the hands of a shooter

Christopher R. Dockery and Scott R. Goode
Appl. Opt. 42(30) 6153-6158 (2003)

Evaluation of femtosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for explosive residue detection

Frank C. De Lucia, Jennifer L. Gottfried, and Andrzej W. Miziolek
Opt. Express 17(2) 419-425 (2009)

Influence of metal substrates on the detection of explosive residues with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Jennifer L. Gottfried
Appl. Opt. 52(4) B10-B19 (2013)

Classification of explosive residues on organic substrates using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

Frank C. De Lucia and Jennifer L. Gottfried
Appl. Opt. 51(7) B83-B92 (2012)

Detection of uranyl fluoride and sand surface contamination on metal substrates by hand-held laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Michael B. Shattan, Dorothy J. Miller, Matthew T. Cook, Ashley C. Stowe, John D. Auxier, Christian Parigger, and Howard L. Hall
Appl. Opt. 56(36) 9868-9875 (2017)