Technical note: presence of gunshot residue in and around a police station
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Technical note: presence of gunshot residue in and around a police station Destiny H. Anders 1 & Sabrina A. Miller 1 & Carl R. Graziano 2 & Joseph Castellano 2 & Jillian Conte 1 Received: 27 January 2020 / Accepted: 22 June 2020 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Previous studies on the transference of gunshot residue (GSR) have shown that GSR can be transferred to surfaces through everyday activities and can persist on surfaces. Being that all police departments operate differently and have different spaces, GSR can be transferred and accumulates in different areas. Samples were collected from persons and surfaces in and around the Scranton Police Department and tested by scanning electron microscopy to identify GSR. Surfaces included police car seats, gun holsters, clothing around holsters, and belts around holsters. The results of the study showed that of the 25 samples collected, 40% contained at least one particle that was “characteristic of primer GSR”, 64% contained at least one particle that was “consistent with primer GSR”, and 92% contained at least one particle considered “commonly associated with primer GSR”. This research characterizes where GSR is transferred within and around the police department. This data can be used to implement cleaning procedures or methods for decontamination. This study continues to strengthen the body of knowledge surrounding transferring of GSR. Keywords Forensic . Gunshot residue . Scranton . GSR . Primer residue
Introduction An important issue when collecting gunshot residue (GSR) is its persistence on various surfaces and likelihood of secondary transfer. Previous studies have demonstrated that secondary transfer of GSR particles is possible, yet minimal [1–3]. Understanding the locations where GSR is present in and around police stations and police vehicles can help predict interactions where secondary transfer is likely to occur. Knowledge of the presence of GSR in police stations could also help evolve firearm handling procedures and personnel Highlights • Samples for gunshot residue detection were collected in and around the Scranton Police Department. • Analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, 40% of samples contained particles that were “characteristic with primer GSR” or contain lead, barium, and antimony. • The 3 most element particles were found in police vehicles and items that come into direct contact with firearms. * Jillian Conte [email protected] 1
Department of Biological & Physical Sciences, Keystone College, La Plume, PA, USA
2
Scranton Police Department, Scranton, PA, USA
cleaning procedures. With a better awareness of GSR in and around police stations and the likelihood of secondary transfer, questions about transfer between police officers and suspects and surfaces and suspects can be minimized. A previous study done involving the presence of GSR in Pittsburgh Police stations found only one particle that was characteristic of primer GSR (containing lead, barium, and antimony, PbBa
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