LC–MS method development and comparison of sampling materials for the analysis of organic gunshot residues

Abstract

This study aimed at developing a LC–MS method to compare the efficiency of various sampling materials for the collection and subsequent analysis of organic gunshot residues (OGSR). Seven sampling materials, namely two “swab”-type and five “stub”-type collection materials, were tested. The evaluation of sampling materials was systematically carried out by first analyzing blank extracts of the materials to check for potential interferences and determining matrix effects. Based on these results, the best four materials, namely cotton buds, polyester swabs, a tape from 3M and PTFE were compared in terms of collection efficiency during shooting experiments using a set of 9mm Luger ammunition. It was found that the tape was capable of recovering the highest amounts of OGSR. As tape-lifting is the technique currently used in routine for inorganic GSR, OGSR analysis might be implemented without modifying IGSR sampling and analysis procedure.