Chemical Analysis of Firearms, Ammunition, and Gunshot Residue / James Smyth Wallace

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Chemical Analysis of Firearms, Ammunition, and Gunshot Residue, Second Edition continues in the tradition of the popular first edition, filling the void in forensic texts on the subject. While most books on firearms focus solely on the physical aspects of firearms, this book addresses forensic issues relating to the chemical aspects of firearms and ammunition. It draws on the latest published literature including books, scientific papers, technical reports, manufacturer's literature, newspaper articles, and personal observations and research conducted by the author.

This edition is fully updated, introducing the history and development of firearms and ammunition including advances in the chemical analysis of them. Several changes in primer compositions and the particle classification system are addressed with new techniques added on evidence collection and testing methods. Coverage details chemical aspects of forensic firearms casework with particular emphasis on the detection of gunshot residues (GSR), firearm discharge residues (FDR), and cartridge discharge residues (CDR) on a suspect's skin and clothing surfaces. Two new chapters have been added. One deals with unusual firearms case while the other summarizes a controversial, high-profile Australian case involving inorganic and organic gunshot residue, highlighting the dangers of incorrect forensic evidence and the increased need for careful training of forensic scientists.

The book will serves as a useful to forensic chemists, investigators, ballistics experts, among other professionals serving in a variety of forensic disciplines.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. xvii)
• Acknowledgments (p. xxiii)
• About the Author (p. xxv)
• Glossary (p. xxvii)
• Section I Introduction
• 1 Definitions (p. 3)
• a Weapons (p. 3)
• b Firearms (p. 3)
• c Ammunition (p. 9)
• d Discharge of a Firearm (p. 10)
• References (p. 10)
• Section II Historical Aspects of Firearms and Ammunition
• 2 History of Gunpowder (p. 13)
• 3 History of Ignition Systems (p. 15)
• 4 History of Bullets (p. 19)
• 5 History of Ammunition (p. 23)
• 6 History of Firearms (p. 29)
• Section III Chemical Aspects of Firearms and Ammunition
• 7 Cartridge Cases (p. 35)
• 8 Primer Cups (Caps) (p. 39)
• 9 Priming Compositions (p. 41)
• 10 Propellants (p. 59)
• 11 Projectiles (p. 69)
• Bullets (p. 69)
• Armor-Piercing Bullets (p. 73)
• Tracer Bullets (p. 75)
• Incendiary Bullets (p. 76)
• Shotgun Pellets and Slugs (p. 78)
• Hand Loading (p. 80)
• Other Projectile Types (p. 81)
• Exploding Bullets (p. 81)
• Flare Loads (p. 83)
• Wax Bullets (p. 83)
• Wood Bullets (p. 84)
• Saboted Subcaliber Bullets (p. 84)
• Multiple Loads (p. 85)
• Special-Purpose Ammunition Types (p. 85)
• Poisoned Bullets (p. 88)
• Shot Loads (p. 90)
• Baton Rounds (p. 90)
• Paintballs (p. 90)
• Frangible Bullets (p. 91)
• Fléchette Cartridge (p. 91)
• Airsoft Bullets (p. 91)
• Dardick Trounds (p. 92)
• Tear Gas Bullets (p. 92)
• References (p. 92)
• 12 Complementary Ammunition Components (p. 95)
• 13 Caseless Ammunition (p. 97)
• 14 Blank Ammunition (p. 99)
• 15 Firearm Construction Materials (p. 103)
• Surface Coatings (p. 104)
• References (p. 106)
• Section IV Firearm Discharge Residue
• 16 Firearm Discharge Residue Detection Techniques (p. 109)
• Introduction (p. 109)
• Firearm Discharge Residues (p. 109)
• Development of Firearm Discharge Residue Detection Techniques (p. 112)
• Paraffin Test (p. 112)
• Harrison and Gilroy Method (p. 113)
• Neutron Activation Analysis (p. 114)
• Flameless Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (p. 115)
• Particle Analysis Method (p. 116)
• Detection of Organics in Firearm Discharge Residue (p. 120)
• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (p. 120)
• Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (p. 121)
• References (p. 123)
• 17 Properties of Firearm Discharge Residue (p. 127)
• Formation (p. 127)
• Morphology and Size (p. 129)
• Composition (p. 130)
• Deposition (p. 131)
• Quantity and Composition (p. 133)
• Distribution (p. 134)
• Persistence (p. 135)
• Sample Collection (p. 135)
• References (p. 136)
• Section V Experimental
• 18 Scenes of Crime Experiences (p. 139)
• Case 1 (p. 139)
• Case 2 (p. 140)
• Case 3 (p. 141)
• Case 4 (p. 142)
• Case 5 (p. 144)
• Case 6 (p. 145)
• Case 7 (p. 145)
• Case 8 (p. 146)
• Case 9 (p. 146)
• Case 10 (p. 147)
• Case 11 (p. 147)
• Case 12 (p. 148)
• Other Observations (p. 148)
• Comment (p. 150)
• 19 Objectives, Sampling Procedures, Instrumentation, and Conditions (p. 151)
• Instrumentation (p. 153)
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (p. 153)
• Gas Chromatography/Thermal Energy Analyzer (p. 154)
• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Pendant Mercury Drop Electrode (p. 155)
• Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (p. 155)
• Flameless Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (p. 155)
• Sampling (p. 155)
• Cartridge Cases (p. 155)
• FDR/Explosive Residue (p. 156)
• References (p. 156)
• 20 Particle Classification Scheme (p. 157)
• Blank Cartridges (p. 157)
• Toy Caps (p. 163)
• Matches (p. 164)
• Flares (p. 164)
• Fireworks (p. 165)
• Accompanying Elements (p. 166)
• Particle Classification Scheme (p. 166)
• References (p. 169)
• 21 Casework Related Tests (p. 171)
• Particles from Handling Ammunition (p. 171)
• Bullet Weight Loss on Firing (p. 174)
• Effect of Water on FDR (p. 175)
• Bullet Fragmentation (p. 176)
• RPG7 Rocket Launcher (p. 177)
• Discharge Residue from Black Powder Ammunition (p. 180)
• Firearm Coatings (p. 184)
• Homogeneity of Propellants (p. 186)
• Bullet Hole Perimeters (p. 186)
• Persistence (p. 193)
• Antimony Free Primers (p. 195)
• Analysis of a Baton Round (p. 196)
• References (p. 197)
• 22 Analysis of Ammunition (p. 199)
• Introduction (p. 199)
• Primer Types (p. 199)
• Propellant Analysis (p. 199)
• Miscellaneous Ammunition Components (p. 210)
• Interpretation of Ammunition Analysis (p. 216)
• Reference (p. 220)
• 23 Ammunition Containing Mercury (p. 221)
• Frequency of Occurrence (p. 221)
• Mercury Containing Particles in Casework (p. 224)
• Distribution of Mercury after Discharge (p. 226)
• Loss of Mercury from Spent Cartridge Cases (p. 235)
• References (p. 236)
• 24 Lead Free Ammunition (p. 237)
• Section VI Suspect Processing Procedures
• 25 Firearm Discharge Residue Sampling (p. 247)
• Time Delays (p. 247)
• Contamination Avoidance (p. 248)
• Evidence Protection Kit (p. 249)
• Comment (p. 250)
• References (p. 251)
• 26 Sampling of Skin and Clothing Surfaces for Firearm Discharge Residue (p. 253)
• Introduction (p. 253)
• Sampling of Clothing (p. 254)
• Sampling Kits (p. 260)
• Clothing Examination (p. 260)
• Discussion (p. 261)
• References (p. 263)
• 27 Development of a Method for Organic Firearm Discharge Residue Detection (p. 265)
• Development of the SPE System (p. 266)
• Efficiency of Millilab Extraction (p. 267)
• Recovery and Analysis of FDR from Clothing (p. 269)
• Survey of Clothing Submitted to the Laboratory for FDR Examination (p. 270)
• Current Method for Organic FDR Detection (p. 271)
• Sampling of Clothing (p. 276)
• Recovery of Organic Residue from Deldrin Unit (p. 277)
• Recovery of Organic Residue from Swab (p. 278)
• Solid Phase Extraction Procedure (p. 279)
• Recovery of Inorganic FDR from Deldrin (p. 279)
• Recovery of Inorganic FDR from Swab (p. 280)
• Contamination Avoidance (p. 280)
• Statement of Witness (SOW) Reports (p. 280)
• Category 1 (p. 281)
• Category 2 (p. 281)
• Category 3 (p. 281)
• Category 4 (p. 282)
• References (p. 282)
• 28 Consequences of Incorrect GSR Evidence (p. 283)
• Basic Information (p. 286)
• GSR Particles in the Mazda Car (p. 287)
• Trial 1995 (p. 288)
• Silencer Theory (p. 288)
• Sound Barrier (p. 290)
• Inorganic GSR (p. 290)
• Rogue Propellant Particles (p. 292)
• Robustness of PMC Propellant (p. 293)
• Test 1 (p. 293)
• Test 2 (p. 293)
• Comments on Tests 1 and 2 (p. 294)
• Barrel Shortening Test (p. 294)
• Judicial Enquiry (p. 295)
• Conclusion (p. 297)
• Index (p. 303)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Dr. James Smyth Wallace is a retired forensic scientist who worked in the firearms section of the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory for nearly 25 years. He worked numerous complex and controversial cases including a number of terrorist-related incidents. Previously a member of the Forensic Science Service, he is interested in quality assurance, crime scene examination, and all aspects of research in the development of chemical examinations relating to firearms casework.