Gunshot residues on paraffin drops

Abstract

In an attempt to facilitate the removal of gunpowder residues from the skin, a simplified method has been tested as compared to the commonly used one of brushing with liquid paraffin. The removing material is still paraffin, but it is dropped from a lighted paraffin candle onto the first interdigital space of the hand. Maps were constructed for gunpowder residues on hands after pistol firing and the first interdigital space was found to be the most significant. Analysis of paraffin “blanks” from candles showed them to be free from antimony, barium and copper. Many samples were examined from the left and the right hands of individuals who had or had not fired a pistol. The results clearly show that from the content of Sb, primarily, and also of Ba, it is possible to identify the person who fired the pistol. Due to the random distribution of copper coming from the skin, this element appears not to be meaningful for the identification of pistol firers. Some practical cases of suicides and shootings are reported.