On the Formation and On the Surface of Inorganic Lead, Barium and Antimony Based Gunshot Residues: A Thermodynamic Approach

In their first full report on the analysis of GSR by SEM-EDS, Wolten and colleagues stated that the great majority of the gunshot residue particles (GSR), between 70 to 100%, have a characteristic morphology thus providing a detection criterion holding significance equal to that provided by the elemental composition. In fact, the particles must have a spherical or spheroidal shape and their surface should appear amorphous, devoid of any crystalline characteristic. On the Formation and On the Surface of Inorganic Lead, Barium and Antimony Based Gunshot Residues: A Thermodynamic Approach Felice Nunziata*1 and Marco Morin2 1ARPAC (Campania’s Regional Environmental Protection Agency) Naples Department, Member of The Chartered Forensic Science Society, Italy 2Member of The Chartered Forensic Science Society, Founder member of the International Association of Maritime Studies, Italy