Detection of gunshot residues using mass spectrometry.
Regina Verena TaudteAlison BeavisLucas BlanesNerida ColePhilip DobleClaude RouxPublished in: BioMed research international (2014)
In recent years, forensic scientists have become increasingly interested in the detection and interpretation of organic gunshot residues (OGSR) due to the increasing use of lead- and heavy metal-free ammunition. This has also been prompted by the identification of gunshot residue- (GSR-) like particles in environmental and occupational samples. Various techniques have been investigated for their ability to detect OGSR. Mass spectrometry (MS) coupled to a chromatographic system is a powerful tool due to its high selectivity and sensitivity. Further, modern MS instruments can detect and identify a number of explosives and additives which may require different ionization techniques. Finally, MS has been applied to the analysis of both OGSR and inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR), although the "gold standard" for analysis is scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microscopy (SEM-EDX). This review presents an overview of the technical attributes of currently available MS and ionization techniques and their reported applications to GSR analysis.
Keyphrases
- mass spectrometry
- gas chromatography
- high resolution
- electron microscopy
- liquid chromatography
- multiple sclerosis
- high performance liquid chromatography
- capillary electrophoresis
- ms ms
- gas chromatography mass spectrometry
- label free
- single molecule
- tandem mass spectrometry
- high throughput
- magnetic resonance imaging
- magnetic resonance
- simultaneous determination
- optical coherence tomography
- risk assessment
- atomic force microscopy
- single cell
- contrast enhanced