Recent developments in the methods of estimating shooting distance.

Arie Zeichner,Baruch Glattstein

doi:10.1100/tsw.2002.140

Abstract

A review of developments during the past 10 years in the methods of estimating shooting distance is provided. This review discusses the examination of clothing targets, cadavers, and exhibits that cannot be processed in the laboratory. The methods include visual/microscopic examinations, color tests, and instrumental analysis of the gunshot residue deposits around the bullet entrance holes. The review does not cover shooting distance estimation from shotguns that fired pellet loads.

Highlights

The range from which a weapon has been fired is an important component in the reconstruction of firearm-related offenses
This study shows that the absence of gunshot residue (GSR) patterns around the bullet entrance hole is a clear indication that shooting was not at close range
Recent developments in the methods of shooting distance estimation were primarily concentrated on the proposed protocols for combining color tests for metal deposits and for gunpowder residues around the bullet entrance holes

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The range from which a weapon has been fired is an important component in the reconstruction of firearm-related offenses (murder, suicide, and accident). Glattstein et al.[13] examined the feasibility of the method developed for clothing[12] (described above) for additional materials: galvanized steel, glass, plywood, and high-pressure laminated plastic sheets of melamine and phenolic materials (Formica) It was found for all tested target materials and shooting distances that the amounts and densities of the discharge residues detected visually (without any treatment) were considerably smaller than those obtained after chemical treatments. Sodium rhodizonate and rubeanic acid reagents were proposed for the visualization of lead and copper patterns around the gunshot wounds[25,26], in practice, the authors are not aware of any chemical tests that are conducted for the estimation of shooting distance on cadavers. Stahling and Karlsson reported a similar method for lifting and visualizing gunpowder residues from skin[29]

INSTRUMENTAL METHODS

CONCLUSION