Abstract
Lead(Pb) of gunshot residues(GSR) originating from bullets and primers was quantified using a simple sampling kit and Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer(WDXF).
It could be detected by the Pb Lβ spectrum easily and non destructively in two minutes.
Linearity of quantification was obtained within the total quantity range of 0.05-2.00 μg.
This method is a direct tape-lift technique, which is dabbed to collect GSR on a hand or a sleeve. The sampling kit consisted of a 12-mm diameter adhesive tape in polyethylene reinforced paper.
The Pb on the sleeve made of cotton was 0.12 μg, which was about 17% of that usually found on a hand immediately after one firing of a .38 S & W revolver.
Pb could be detected on the hand three hours and on the sleeve twelve hours after three bullets were fired. And GSR particles consisting of lead (Pb), barium (Ba) and antimony (Sb) could be found on them by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis(SEM/EDX).
Therefore, it was shown that this method is useful to screen samples for GSR particles of the three elements.
