Differentiation Of Lead-Free And Lead-Based Primers Using Post-Fire Priming Cup Residue

Keywords

Characterization; GSR; Lead-based; Lead-free; SEM–EDX

Abstract

Ammunition is typically composed of a lead-based priming mixture which contributes to the characteristics most commonly used for the identification of gunshot residue (GSR). Due to the health risks often associated with lead, the use of lead-free primers in ammunitions is becoming more popular. Thus, the presence of GSR is becoming more difficult to discern based on the traditional means, i.e. the presence of lead (Pb), barium (Ba), and antimony (Sb). While research has been conducted on the differences between lead-based and lead-free muzzle discharge residue, few have researched other components of ammunition which may lead to other means of characterizing GSR. This research, therefore, covers that gap by focusing on the priming cup present in ammunition and the residue which may originate from it, that can contribute to muzzle discharge residue. In this study, a lead-based and a lead-free ammunition from four different manufacturers were chosen. The cartridges were fired using a Glock 17, 9 mm Parabellum, collected post-fire, and subsequently de-primed resulting in the removal of the anvil. The GSR present on the anvils and cups was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (SEM–EDX). The data was then processed using unit vector analysis for normalization and analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). This data was then used to determine the components of the cartridge case which contribute to GSR and develop a method of characterization between lead-free and lead-based ammunition. Such a method will improve the detection of GSR by strengthening the criteria of identification.

Publication Date

7-1-2017

Publication Title

Forensic Science International

Volume

276

Number of Pages

51-63

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.04.015

Socpus ID

85019091429 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85019091429

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