Firearm Discharge Research Articles

Outcomes and implications of pediatric spinal gun shot wounds: A cross-sectional analysis using 2017-2021 TQIP data

BackgroundPediatric morbidity and mortality due to gun violence has steadily risen in recent years, becoming the leading cause of death among children and teens as of 2022 per the Center for Disease Control (CDC). For patients under the age of 17 in the United States, gunshot wounds (GSWs) are the underlying cause of traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) in 8.3% of patients. Although prior studies have examined the broader trends of firearm-related deaths in children, investigation specifically focusing on gunshot wounds to the spine has not addressed the pediatric population. MethodsThe TQIP database from 2017 to 2021 was queried for patients under the age of 18 with gunshot traumas, and ICD-10 diagnosis codes were used to identify associated spinal injuries. The incidence across time and risk factors for adverse hospital outcomes were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Factors of interest included demographic characteristics, insurance provider, and comorbidities. ResultsA total of 3,155 gunshot injuries to the spine (GSIS) in the pediatric population were reported to TQIP between 2017 and 2021. Average patient age was 16 ± 2.8 years old and the majority of patients (n=1819, 57.6%) were uninsured. Assault was the intent of firearm discharge in 2,582 (81.8%) patients and unintentional injury occurred in 322 (10.2%) cases. Mortality occurred in 11.7% of GSIS, twice that of the 5.8% seen in all pediatric GSW. Those with psychiatric disorders were more likely to result in extended LOS (OR, 2.538; 95% CI, 1.638-3.932; P < 0.001) and in-hospital complications (OR, 1.841; 95% CI, 1.139-2.891; P = 0.012) when analyzed with multivariate binomial logistic regression. ConclusionIn this large-scale retrospective study using TQIP data, we identified trends in spine injuries sustained from gun trauma in the pediatric population. Consideration of demographics, hospital course, and outcomes as examined in this study can provide valuable insights to clinicians, public health organizations, and policy makers.

Six Square Miles of Urban America: Association Between Firearm Discharge, Injury, and Fatality.

Despite the increase in firearm injury observed across the country, significant gaps remain relevant to our understanding of how firearm exposure translates to injury. Using acoustic gunshot detection and a collaborative hospital and law enforcement firearm injury database, we sought to identify the relationship between firearm discharge and injury over time. From 2018 to 2021, instances of firearm discharge captured via acoustic detection in 6 square miles of Louisville, KY, were merged with data from the collaborative firearm injury database. Key outcomes included the total number of rounds fired, injury and fatality rates per round, and the percentage of rounds discharged from automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines. During the study period, 54,397 rounds of ammunition were discharged resulting in 914 injuries, 435 hospital admissions, 2,442 hospital days, 155 emergent operations, and 180 fatalities. For each round of ammunition fired, the risk of injury and fatality was 1.7% and 0.3%, respectively. The total number of rounds fired per month nearly tripled (614 vs 1,623, p < 0.001) leading to increased injury (15 vs 37, p < 0.001) and fatality (3 vs 7, p < 0.001). The percentage of rounds fired from automatic weapons (0 vs 6.8%, p < 0.001) and high-capacity magazines (7.6 vs 28.9%, p < 0.001) increased over time. The increased burden of firearm injury is related to an overall increase in firearm exposure as measured by the total number of rounds discharged. High-capacity magazines and automatic weaponry are being used with increasing frequency in urban America.

Examining media reports of pediatric unintentional firearm injury deaths for prevention messaging concerning secured storage of firearms: U.S., 2021–2022

BackgroundMedia outlets that report on firearm injuries and deaths may provide an important role in emphasizing safe storage practices, particularly when unintentional firearm injuries and deaths occur among young children. There has been a scarcity of research on aspects of media reports on injuries, particularly concerning prevention messaging. The objective of the present study was to examine prevention messaging on the safe storage of firearms among media outlets when reporting on unintentional firearm injury deaths among children aged 0–11.MethodsThe Gun Violence Archive collects information from media sources regarding firearm injuries and deaths. We analyzed data from 2021 to 2022 to analyze prevention messaging incorporated into the media reports. We then examined if media reporting of events that occurred in States with child access prevention (CAP) laws had a higher likelihood of including prevention messaging compared to those events occurring in States without CAP laws.ResultsThere were 223 deaths reported that were attributed to unintentional firearm discharge among children aged 0–11. Prevention messages were delivered in 61 of the 223 incidents. Specific messages which included the word “lock” when referring to firearm storage were included in 21.9% of all incidents. An analysis examining State CAP laws and the presence of any prevention message per event did not yield any discernable relationship.ConclusionInclusion of prevention messaging stating that firearms should be stored locked and unloaded when reporting on unintentional firearm injury deaths among children is lacking. When specific prevention messaging was included, the source was often law enforcement. Public health officials may play an important role in educating the journalistic and law enforcement communities about the inclusion of safe storage messages when reporting on firearm deaths.

Gender and homicides in Paraná: a descriptive analysis from an ecological perspective (2018-2021)

Violence is considered a public health issue as it is one of the main causes of premature mortality in the world, resulting in several impacts that affect the population. This is an ecological time series study on homicides between 2018 and 2021 carried out in the State of Paraná. Data were extracted from the Mortality Information System (SIM) by categories: gender, age, race/color, marital status, place of occurrence and IDC (X85 to Y09 and Y35 to Y36). Data analysis shows that 9,169 violent deaths occurred in the state during the period, 91.2% (8,365) of which were male and 8.7% (801) were female. Considering only the age group, the majority of homicides are between the ages of 20 and 29, totaling 3,349 deaths in the last 4 years, 93.3% (3,123) of male gender and 6.7% (226) of female gender. In this same age group, there is the largest percentage difference between genders. A greater similarity was observed between 5 and 9 years old, with the percentage of both genders equal to 50% (7). The data shows that the highest rate of female homicides, 36.1% (289) occurred at home, while 42.7% (3,572) of male deaths occurred on public roads. Firearm discharge (ICD: X93, X94 and X95) is the main cause of death for both genders, with males accounting for 61.5% (5,142) and females 43.6% (349) of the cases. Better understanding the categories that lead to homicide is a fundamental step towards creating more effective public policies to minimize homicides in Brazil and around the world.

South Africa's male homicide epidemic hiding in plain sight: Exploring sex differences and patterns in homicide risk in a retrospective descriptive study of postmortem investigations.

South Africa has an overall homicide rate six times the global average. Males are predominantly the victims and perpetrators, but little is known about the male victims. For the country's first ever study on male homicide we compared 2017 male and female victim profiles for selected covariates, against global average and previous estimates for 2009. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of routine data collected through postmortem investigations, calculating age-standardised mortality rates for manner of death by age, sex and province and male-to-female incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals. We then used generalised linear models and linear regression models to assess the association between sex and victim characteristics including age and mechanism of injury (guns, sharp and blunt force) within and between years. 87% of 19,477 homicides in 2017 were males, equating to seven male deaths for every female, with sharp force and firearm discharge being the most common cause of death. Rates were higher among males than females at all ages, and up to eight times higher for the age group 15-44 years. Provincial rates varied overall and by sex, with the highest comparative risk for men vs. women in the Western Cape Province (11.4 males for every 1 female). Male homicides peaked during December and were highest during weekends, underscoring the prominent role of alcohol as a risk factor. There is a massive, disproportionate and enduring homicide risk among South African men which highlights their relative neglect in the country's prevention and policy responses. Only through challenging the normative perception of male invulnerability do we begin to address the enormous burden of violence impacting men. There is an urgent need to address the insidious effect of such societal norms alongside implementing structural interventions to overcome the root causes of poverty, inequality and better control alcohol and firearms.

Applying the antecedent, behaviour, and consequence taxonomy to unintentional firearm injury as determined by a collaborative firearm injury database

BackgroundUnintentional firearm injury (UFI) remains a significant problem in the USA with respect to preventable injury and death. The antecedent, behaviour and consequence (ABC) taxonomy has been used by law...

Modelling and Testing the Dynamic Properties in a Submachine Gun-Man System

This work was an attempt at an analysis of the interaction between a firearm and a human, exemplified by a cal. 9 mm submachine gun (SMG), PM-98 GLAUBERYT and a trained, professional shooter - a Police special team operator. The results of the analysis made it possible to develop several guidelines aimed at designing the dynamic performance of SMGs to improve their aiming accuracy. In connection with this work, experimental tests were performed at a firing range, where the process of firearm discharge was recorded using a Phantom slow-motion digital camera. What followed was the analysis of the video record using the Tema dedicated computer software. The SMG’s dynamic performance was adjusted to reduce the hit scatter. Based on the results of the empirical tests at the firing range, physical and mathematical models of the SMG-operator system were formulated. The SMG-operator system was simulated in the Scilab software, which provided time-based variation trends of the kinematic quantities that characterised the movements of individual modelled objects. The variation trends determined included displacement, velocity and acceleration of the SMG, its bolt assembly, and the human operator as a function of time. The results of the theoretical analysis were compared to the empirical test results from the firing range. It was found that in the virtual modelling space, the SMG model had a performance similar to that of its real counterpart. With the theoretical model verified, several performance parameters of the SMG were modified and guidelines were developed that could improve the aim.

Early Clinician Exposure to the Physiologic Damage of Firearms: A Feasibility Study

Introduction:In comparison to many nations in the developed world, the United States has more cases of civilian ballistic injuries. Both low and high velocity firearm injuries are frequently encountered in American urban trauma centers, and physicians become familiar with these traumatic injury patterns. Physicians from other nations may rarely encounter such injuries. With an increase in international conflict, there is an increased need for clinicians to participate in international medical aid which may include patients with ballistic injuries. Clinicians with limited familiarity of such injuries may result in under-triage and delayed recognition of injury severity, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality of patients. This study aims to show that a course on ballistic injuries will improve clinician recognition of injury patterns and comfort levels managing these patients.Method:Clinicians participated in a course which was designed to introduce ballistic injury patterns. The course was reviewed and supported by emergency medicine physicians who work in a large level I trauma center in the Southeastern United States and serve in clinical roles with EMS and community law enforcement. Course content included demonstrations of firearm injuries by discharging weapons into gels and models designed to replicate human body tissue. Participants were surveyed prior to and after completing the course regarding their comfort with firearms and firearm related injuries.Results:Participants reported increased comfort level with the management of ballistic injuries. The course requires a full day of expert physician time, approximately US$600 in supplies if performing live demonstrations, and the cost of designated space for safe firearm discharge and use.Conclusion:This course or a similar course with pre-fired demonstration rounds proved to be feasible and beneficial for those who will likely encounter firearm injuries in their clinical environment. There are both quantifiable and perceived benefits for physicians.

Nontoxic ammunition: Challenges and perspectives for GSR identification

AbstractGunshot residues (GSR) are one of the most important forensic traces in crimes involving firearm discharge, being the conventional GSR characterized by containing spheroidal particles composed of Pb, Ba, and Sb. Over the years, a wide range of techniques has been applied and improved to characterize the conventional GSR, with deserved emphasis on scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). However, the introduction of nontoxic ammunition (NTA), or heavy metal‐free (HMF), on the market has triggered a search for new methodologies for GSR identification since methods based on the chemical and/or morphological profiles of conventional GSR are no longer appropriate for the analysis of this type of residues. This review highlights current methods and proposals for characterization of GSR from NTA, which involve either the search for characteristic chemical profiles or the insertion of selective markers in this new type of ammunition.This article is categorized under: Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence &gt; Emerging Technologies and Methods Forensic Medicine &gt; Imaging Modalities

Assessment of Persistence of Gunshot Residues Produced by Firearms from Criminal Cases in the Republic of Kosovo

Gunshot residue (GSR) is a material formed during firearm discharge with a specific spheroidal/noncrystalline morphology and chemical composition. The examination of gunshot residue by SEM/EDS is an important tool in forensic studies and presents supporting evidence in criminal investigations. This study is aimed at exploring the number of particles characteristic of GSR identified by SEM/EDS as a function of time, gun caliber, the number of shots, and weather conditions. Firearms typically used in criminal cases in Kosovo were studied, and the experiments were conducted outdoors in the summer and winter seasons. Nine people made different numbers of shots from one to nine and followed a common office routine. An optimized and validated SEM/EDS protocol was applied with a sensitivity of 95%, a bias of −5%, a repeatability of 2% (RSD), a within-lab reproducibility of 2% (RSD), and an expanded uncertainty of the number of GSR particles of 6% at coverage factor k = 2. The results showed that GSR particles could be identified by SEM/EDS five to seven hours after shooting, depending on the weapon used and number of produced shots. The results will benefit forensic scientists by providing a supportive tool for hypothesizing the time interval between firearm discharge and GSR sampling.

Death by Police Shooting in Australia: Understanding Lethal Force Decisions Through a Sequence Analysis of Behavior

Police officers’ use of lethal force is scrutinized to determine the appropriateness of the decision to shoot. However, surprisingly little research has systematically examined the sequence of behaviors that leads to this decision. This study content analyzed coronial reports of 58 deaths by police shooting in Australia, coding behavioral and situational features. A novel sequence analysis method—the proximity coefficient—was used to determine the proximities of police and subject behaviors to interpret how police firearm presentation and discharge may be influenced by preceding actions. Theoretical implications and practical applications for preventing fatal outcomes are discussed.

Injury characteristics and circumstances of firearm trauma: Assessing suicide survivors and decedents.

Despite representing fewer than 5% of suicide attempts, firearms account for over half of deaths. Yet there is little clinical information regarding firearm attempts, particularly survivors. We assessed clinical factors differentiating firearm suicide survivors from decedents, firearm attempters from other methods, and firearm attempters from similarly injured trauma patients. We used clinical data from the National Trauma Data Bank (2017) to assess firearm suicide attempts using cross-sectional and case-control designs. We used logistic and multinomial regression to compare groups and assess firearm type and discharge destination. Older age, being uninsured, and injury location were associated with increased mortality among firearm attempters. Older age, White race, male sex, and being uninsured were associated with firearm attempts. Major psychiatric disorders were associated with firearm attempts and using a rifle or shotgun. Major psychiatric disorders, female sex, and smoking were associated with psychiatric discharge. Black and other race were associated with law enforcement discharge, and Black race was associated with lower odds of psychiatric discharge. Uninsured patients had lower odds of discharge to long-term care, psychiatric, or rehabilitation facilities. This study identifies factors associated with firearm suicide and includes indicators of disparities in health services for patients at high risk of suicide death.

The relevance of gunshot residues in forensic science

AbstractGunshot residues (GSR) are routinely exploited by forensic scientists in the investigation of firearm‐related events. While many new techniques are daily reported in the literature for the analysis of GSR, there is still a significant lack of data on the transfer, persistence, and prevalence of GSR. Such fundamental knowledge is essential to fully exploit the information potential of GSR for investigation or in Court. This article provides an overview of the relevant questions related to GSR, more particularly to infer about the trace's origin (i.e., is it from a firearm discharge?) and the activity that caused transfer (e.g., primary, secondary, or subsequent transfer). GSR production and composition will be briefly described, considering both inorganic and organic components. Then, the available knowledge about the primary transfer, the secondary transfer, and the persistence of GSR will be outlined, as well as the prevalence (background level) of the targeted elements and/or compounds in the environment, more particularly on the hands of people unrelated to firearm incidents. Finally, the methods developed for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of GSR will be discussed. A holistic approach combining fundamental forensic science knowledge about GSR transfer, persistence, and prevalence together with other available information is discussed as a path forward to increase the relevance and value of the GSR trace in practice.This article is categorized under: Crime Scene Investigation &gt; From Traces to Intelligence and Evidence Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence &gt; Trace Evidence Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence &gt; Explosive Analysis

An Exploratory Analysis of Fifteen Years Suicide Trends Using Population-Level Data From Croatian Committed Suicides Registry.

ObjectivesThe provide a descriptive analysis of the available population-level aggregated data on committed suicides in the Republic of Croatia, in the 2004–2018 period, showing emerging trends in suicide incidence focusing on sex/age/geographical distribution of suicides and the primary and secondary causes of suicide mortality, as well as making comparisons with similar neighboring neighboring countries.MethodsThe aggregated suicide data were obtained from the Croatian Committed Suicides Registry, a national registry maintained by the public health authority. The raw data extract was organized into tables according to several variables (age, sex, place of birth, place of residence, and cause of death). Simple descriptive statistics were performed on the structured data.ResultsDespite being among the highest in the world and EU, the number of committed suicides in Croatia is in decline since 2004. A higher number of suicides by males was observed when compared to females. Most of the suicides occur during spring and summer. The wealthier, northern continental region of the country had the highest average rate of committed suicides per 1,00,000 population, contrary to some of the findings in the published literature associating economic instability with suicide. The most common way to commit suicide for both sexes in all age groups is self-harm by hanging, strangulation and suffocation. Suicide by firearm and explosive devices discharge remains higher than the global average.ConclusionsDespite its steadily declining incidence rates in the past 20 years, suicides remain a major public health challenge in Croatia. Results may bolster the Ugro-Finnish suicide hypothesis, linking higher suicide rates to regions with populations of Hungarian descent.

Elemental profiling of toxic and modern primers using ICP-MS, SEM-EDS, and XPS: an application in firearm discharge residue investigation

ABSTRACT The characterization of firearm discharge residue (FDR) as a piece of evidence plays an essential role in interpreting the forensic cases involving the use of firearms, such as robberies, murders, suicides, and serious attacks. In the last decade, modern or non-toxic primers have emerged due to environmental issues. Forensic examination of gunshot residue (GSR) has become challenging as primer compositions now vary greatly. The goal of this paper is to provide the elemental profiling of both toxic and lead-free cartridge primers available in the Turkish ammunition market. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used in this investigation. Multivariate statistical methodologies such as principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (PCC) analysis were used to interpret the elemental profile data determined in the residue generated after ignition of the cartridge primers. Three components were observed: Ba-Sb-Pb-Cu-Gd, Ti-Sr-Zn, and Al-Ca-Ga, which is also consistent with the PCC analysis. SEM-EDS was employed to confirm the existence of GSR particles. The binding energies, determined using XPS, indicated the chemical state assignments in samples such as Pb(NO3)2, Sb2S3, Ba(NO3)2, CuO, ZnO and MoS2. This research will improve the robustness of the interpretation of GSR-related evidence.

Modelling the phenomenon of elements separation in GSR particles containing aluminum using information theory analysis and molecular dynamics simulation

In the field of forensic science, detecting gunshot residue (GSR) particles on an individual or his belongings can connect him to a firearm discharge. One of the most important aspects in research into primer discharge residue analysis is the mechanism of residue particle formation. Understanding the particle formation mechanism should help the forensic scientist to differentiate GSR from particles originating from other sources. The elemental composition of GSR particles depends upon the type of ammunition used. Modern Western ammunition all contain a very similar priming composition, the basic elements found being Lead (Pb), Barium (Ba) and Antimony (Sb). However, some manufacturers add Aluminum (Al) to the primer mixture, this addition may result in GSR particles composition of PbBaSbAl. Our experience in analyzing GSR particles derived from ammunition containing Al suggests that the addition of Al to the primer often causes elements separation forming particles with regions of distinct composition instead of one homogenous particle type. One particle-region-type predominantly includes the elements Pb and Sb, with a small amount of Ba, and the other particle-region-type predominantly contains Al and Ba. We replicated and explained this phenomenon using information theory analysis as well as running a molecular dynamic simulation, both on large-scale systems.

The Veil of Bureaucracy: How Officials Evade Partisan Politics in Participatory Settings

In theory, participatory democracies are thought to empower citizens in local decision-making processes. However, in practice, community voice is rarely representative, and even in cases of equal representation, citizens are often disempowered through bureaucratic processes. Drawing on the case of a firearm discharge debate from a rural county’s municipal meetings in Virginia, I extend research about how power operates in participatory settings. Partisan political ideology fueled the debate amongst constituents in expected ways, wherein citizens engaged collectivist and individualist frames to sway the county municipal board ( Celinska 2007 ). However, it was a third frame that ultimately explains the ordinance’s repeal: the bureaucratic frame, an ideological orientation to participatory processes that defers decision-making to disembodied abstract rules and procedures. This frame derives its power from its depoliticization potential, allowing bureaucrats to evade contentious political debates. Whoever is best able to wield this frame not only depoliticizes the debate to gain rationalized legitimacy but can do so in such a way to favor a partisan agenda. This study advances gun research and participatory democracy research by analyzing how the bureaucratic frame, which veils partisanship, offers an alternative political possibility for elected officials, community leaders, and citizens to adjudicate partisan debates.

Suicide along the Australian coast: Exploring the epidemiology and risk factors.

Suicide is an increasing global concern with multiple risk factors, yet location-based understanding is limited. In Australia, surf lifesavers (SLS) and lifeguards patrol the coast, performing rescues and assisting injured people, including people who suicide. This study is a descriptive epidemiological analysis of Australian coastal suicide deaths. The results will be used to inform training and support surf lifesaving personnel and suicide prevention organisations. This is a population-based cross-sectional study of suicide deaths at Australian coastal locations (between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2019). Data were sourced from the National Coronial Information System and SLS Australia’s Incident Report Database. Analyses explored decedent, incident, and risk factors by sex and method. Across the study period, there were 666 coastal suicide deaths (71.0% male, 43.4% jumping from high places [X80]). Males were more likely to suicide by other means (hanging, self-poisoning, firearm discharge; n = 145, 83.8%), compared to females who were more likely to suicide by drowning ([X71]; n = 77, 37.7%). In one third (n = 225, 38.3%) toxicology was a contributing factor. The risk of coastal suicides was 10.3 times higher during the seven-days prior to their birthday (p<0.001). Evidence of mental ill health was reported in 61.4% (n = 409) of cases and evidence of suicidal behaviour was reported for 37.4% of decedents (n = 249), more prevalent in females. SLS responded in 10.7% (n = 71) of coastal suicides (most jumps from high places; n = 36, 50.7%). Coastal suicides differ to national trends suggesting that location-based differences should be considered during development of preventative and protective measures, especially at a community level. Accessibility, availability, perceived lethality and symbolic qualities are proposed to influence suicide location decisions. These results will guide support and education strategies for surf lifesaving personnel, contributes to established, ongoing suicide surveillance efforts (including hot-spot identification) and add to the limited literature exploring place-based suicide.

Firearm-related injuries and deaths in Ontario, Canada, 2002-2016: a population-based study.

Firearm-related injury is an important and preventable cause of death and disability. We describe the burden, baseline characteristics and regional rates of firearm-related injury and death in Ontario. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using linked data from health administrative data sets held at ICES. We identified residents of Ontario of all ages who were injured or died as a result of a firearm discharge between Apr. 1, 2002, and Dec. 31, 2016. We included injuries classified as assault, unintentional, self-harm or undetermined intent secondary to handguns, rifles, shotguns and larger firearms. The primary outcome was the incidence of nonfatal and fatal injuries resulting in an emergency department visit, hospital admission or death. We also describe regional and temporal rates. We identified 6483 firearm-related injuries (annualized injury rate 3.54 per 100 000 population), of which 2723 (42.3%) were fatal. Assault accounted for 40.2% (1494/3715) of nonfatal injuries and 25.5% (694/2723) of deaths. Young men, predominantly in urban neighbourhoods, within the lowest income quintile were overrepresented in this group. Injuries secondary to self-harm accounted for 68.0% (1366/2009) of injuries and occurred predominantly in older men living in rural Ontario across all income quintiles. The case fatality rate of injuries secondary to self-harm was 91.7%. Self-harm accounted for 1842 deaths (67.6%). We found that young urban men were most likely to be injured in firearm-related assaults and that more than two-thirds of self-harm-related injuries occurred in older rural-dwelling men, most of whom died from their injuries. This highlights a need for suicide-prevention strategies in rural areas targeted at men aged 45 or older.

Pattern of Firearm Discharge Residue on Cotton Cloth Substrate to Determine the Range of Firing by 7.65mm Caliber of Country Made and Standard Firearm: An Original Research Study

The main purpose of the study was to collect a data related to country made and standard firearm from closerange on cotton cloth substrate to determine the range of firing, type of firearm used i.e standard or countrymade firearm as limited data are available for such lethality in india. The range of firing is very difficult toinvestigate by dispersion pattern of Gun Shot Residue in close range firing by country made pistol. Thisstudy was done to overcome that deficiency.Method- This study over a period of 3 years was carried out on live cases brought to ballistics division ofCFSL/CBI/New Delhi. Total No. of 180 samples were collected, from three different close range i.e., 4”, 8”and 12”on cotton cloth substrate. 90 samples were collected by 7.6mm country made pistol and 90 sampleswere collected by 7.65mm standard pistol.Result – Among 180 firing samples during study period, 30 firing has been done from each close range, fromstandard as well as country made pistol. The result showed the large variation in dispersion pattern of GSRfrom 4” range. At 4” distance, from country made pistol, the inner dispersion area of GSR was calculatedi.e. (7-19 cm2 app.), outer dispersion area of GSR was (30-70 cm2 app.) whereas in case of standard pistol,the inner dispersion area of GSR was (10-15 cm2app.), outer dispersion area of GSR was (40-70 cm2 app.) .Conclusions- It is found that large variation in dispersion pattern of GSR pattern has been observed, whenfiring has been done from country made pistol and standard firearm at 4” range. This study must be helpfulin estimation of exact range of firing fired from close range by 7.65mm country made pistol and standardpistol by analyzing the dispersion pattern area of Gun Shot Residue.