Abstract
The early detection and location of firearm threats is critical to the success of any law enforcement operation to prevent a mass shooting event or illegal transport of weapons. Prevention tactics such as firearm detection canines have been at the front line of security tools to combat this national security threat. Firearm detection canines go through rigorous training regimens to achieve reliability in the detection of firearms as their target odor source. Currently, there is no scientific foundation as to the chemical odor signature emitted from the actual firearm device that could aid in increased and more efficient canine training and performance protocols or a better understanding of the chemistry of firearm-related odorants for better source identification. This study provides a novel method application of solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) as a rapid system for the evaluation of odor profiles from firearm devices (loaded and unloaded). Samples included magazines (n = 30) and firearms (n = 15) acquired from the local law enforcement shooting range. Headspace analysis depicted five frequently occurring compounds across sample matrices including aldehydes such as nonanal, decanal, octanal and hydrocarbons tetradecane and tridecane. Statistical analysis via principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted a preliminary clustering differentiating unloaded firearms from both loaded/unloaded magazines and loaded firearm devices. These results highlight potential odor signature differences associated with different firearm components. The understanding of key odorants above a firearm will have an impact on national security efforts, thereby enhancing training regimens to better prepare canine teams for current threats in our communities.
Highlights
Firearms are recurrently the lethal means in forensic casework ranging from homicide to suicide, and accidental injuries, indicating an importance in law enforcement and national security
For purposes of this study, while the scope was not focused on testing a large sample size of ammunition types, brand new ammunition was analyzed to obtain the headspace odor profile encountered in this specimen to compare with the magazine and firearm odor baseline
From the instrumental evaluation of the headspace of loaded/ unloaded full firearms and magazines, several compounds were identified as frequently occurring across the sample groups and included: nonanal, decanal, octanal, tetradecane and tridecane
Summary
Firearms are recurrently the lethal means in forensic casework ranging from homicide to suicide, and accidental injuries, indicating an importance in law enforcement and national security. According to the 2019 FBI crime statistics reporting, firearms, no matter the type, were used in most homicides with approximately 10,258 cases (FBI, 2019). The early detection of firearm threats is critical to the success of any law enforcement operation to prevent a shooter from inflicting harm to innocent victims. Since 2013, there have been 569 incidents of gunfire in schools, including 210 deaths and 416 injuries (EverytownResearch, 2019). With an increased number of mass shootings in our country, prevention tactics such as firearm detection canines are at the front line of security tools available to law enforcement personnel
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