Firearm-related scenarios can be highly complex, involving multiple shooters, firearms, types of ammunition, victims, and various impact zones. Obtaining the maximum amount of information to connect each piece of the puzzle is crucial for resolving these cases. Currently, new tools are being developed in the forensic field that facilitate both fieldwork and laboratory analysis, enabling the estimation of trajectories, identification of shooters, and more.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: At present, it is challenging to accurately determine firearm shooting distances in the case that lead-free ammunition is involved, largely because different manufacturers use different primer compositions. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) allows the simultaneous detection of multiple elements with high sensitivity and so may represent a solution to this problem. Previous studies have, in fact, demonstrated that LIBS can be used to determine shooting distances when working with gunshot residues from conventional ammunition based on scanning fabric surfaces.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe application of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) in forensic science has garnered increasing attention. The ability to perform real-time, on-site analysis of Gunshot Residue (GSR) particles and potential elements originating from bullets or projectile cores on various surfaces holds the potential to assist in resolving firearms-related cases. This includes facilitating trajectory determination by locating distinct impact points and identifying the types of ammunition used.
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