Abstract
Raman spectroscopy has emerged as a viable technique for the organic analysis
of gunshot residues (GSRs), offering additional information to the well-established
analysis using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray
spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). In this article, a Raman imaging system with an
electron-multiplying coupled-charged device (EMCCD) camera was used to analyze
complete GSR particles from both conventional and nontoxic ammunition fired at
different cloth targets. The same cloths were then stained with blood to mimic real
evidence and measured. The direct analysis using Raman imaging of the GSR particles
collected with the stubs used for SEM-EDX analysis (the frequent method used for GSR
collection) was evaluated. Multivariate curve-resolution and chemical-mapping
methods were applied to the spectroscopic data to identify and highlight the signal
corresponding to the GSR particles and differentiate them from the substrates. It
was confirmed that both measurement approaches (on the targets and the stubs) could
be used for the identification of GSR particles, even under unfavorable conditions
such as the presence of blood. The results obtained demonstrate the huge potential
of Raman imaging for the fast analysis of complete GSR particles and prove its
complementary usefulness in the analysis of the stubs used by the well-established
SEM-EDX technique.
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