Compiling information from the available literature and supplementing gaps with private communications and personal observations and research, this resource summarizes the history of firearms and ammunition as it relates to the development of modern weapons. It details chemical aspects of forensic firearms casework with particular emphasis on the detection of gunshot residues (GSR) on a suspect’s skin and clothing surfaces. Drawing on the extensive experience of the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory (NIFSL) which processed a large firearms caseload during the region’s recent violent past, this book records the statistics gathered and the scientific methods developed to meet the demands of law enforcement and courts of law.

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Glossary

  I INTRODUCTION

1 Definitions

  H HISTORICAL ASPECTS OF FIREARMS

     AND AMMUNITION

2 History of Gunpowder

3 History of Ignition Systems

4 History of Bullets

5 History of Ammunition

6 History of Firearms

 III CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF FIREARMS

      AND AMMUNITION

7 Cartridge Cases

8 Primer Cups (Caps)

9 Priming Compositions

10 Propellants

11 Projectiles

12 Complementary Ammunition Components

13 Caseless Ammunition

14 Blank Ammunition

15 Firearm Construction Materials

  IV FIREARM DISCHARGE RESIDUE

16 Firearm Discharge Residue Detection Techniques

17 Properties of Firearm Discharge Residue

  V EXPERIMENTAL

18 Objectives, Sampling Procedures,

  Instrumentation, and Conditions

19 Particle Classification Scheme

20 Casework-Related Tests

21 Analysis of Ammunition

22 Ammunition Containing Mercury

23 Lead-Free Ammunition

   VI SUSPECT PROCESSING PROCEDURES

24 Firearm Discharge Residue Sampling

   VII ORGANIC COMPONENTS OF

       FIREARM DISCHARGE RESIDUE

25 Sampling of Skin and Clothing Surfaces for

  Firearm Discharge Residue

26 Development of a Method for Organic Firearm

  Discharge Residue Detection

Conclusion

Index