Forensic profiling of gunshot residues (GSR) from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS)

Gunshot residues (GSR) produced from different ammunitions upon firing using the same firearm could be varied according to the compositional ingredients used to make the propellant powder. Due to the introduction of non-toxic ammunition, the conventional detection of lead, barium and antimony has al...

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Main Author:	Hui, Lim Lea
Format:	Thesis
Language:	English
Published:	2023
Subjects:	R Medicine
Online Access:	http://eprints.usm.my/60216/1/LIM%20LEA%20HUI-E.pdf
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id	my-usm-ep.60216
record_format	uketd_dc
spelling	my-usm-ep.602162024-03-19T06:48:40Z Forensic profiling of gunshot residues (GSR) from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) 2023-09 Hui, Lim Lea R Medicine RA1001 Forensic Medicine. Medical jurisprudence. Legal medicine Gunshot residues (GSR) produced from different ammunitions upon firing using the same firearm could be varied according to the compositional ingredients used to make the propellant powder. Due to the introduction of non-toxic ammunition, the conventional detection of lead, barium and antimony has also reported obstacles for the confirmative determination of GSR. In such cases, the organic profiles of GSR could serve as the supporting evidence to prove a firing activity and to differentiate the ammunitions. The objective of this study was to profile the organic GSR from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) for forensic comparison. In this study, eleven spent cartridges were subjected to SPME-GC-MS and the chemical attribution signatures in each profile were identified. Subsequently, the organic GSR profiles across various ammunition types were compared, and lastly, a screening methodology for classification of GSR profiles was proposed. The SPME-GC-MS analysis carried on the spent cartridges had detected five key compounds, including diphenylamine (DPA), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), ethyl centralite (EC), tributyl acetylcitrate (TAC), and butyl citrate, that possessed important role in propellant powders. Comparative analysis of OGSR profiles across different ammunition types revealed the choice of stabilisers and plasticisers used were found to be varied. Based on the proposed screening methodology that employing the presence of detected OGSR compound to categorise and differentiate samples, five distinct categories were formed. By applying such screening methodology, unknown samples could be associated with potential ammunition types or distinguished based on the specific sources. To conclude, the study had successfully profile the organic GSR from spent cartridges, and the screening method could serve as a useful tool for classifying and distinguishing GSR samples, assisting forensic investigation in criminal cases involving firearm. 2023-09 Thesis http://eprints.usm.my/60216/ http://eprints.usm.my/60216/1/LIM%20LEA%20HUI-E.pdf application/pdf en public masters Universiti Sains Malaysia Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan
institution	Universiti Sains Malaysia
collection	USM Institutional Repository
language	English
topic	R Medicine R Medicine
spellingShingle	R Medicine R Medicine Hui, Lim Lea Forensic profiling of gunshot residues (GSR) from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS)
description	Gunshot residues (GSR) produced from different ammunitions upon firing using the same firearm could be varied according to the compositional ingredients used to make the propellant powder. Due to the introduction of non-toxic ammunition, the conventional detection of lead, barium and antimony has also reported obstacles for the confirmative determination of GSR. In such cases, the organic profiles of GSR could serve as the supporting evidence to prove a firing activity and to differentiate the ammunitions. The objective of this study was to profile the organic GSR from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) for forensic comparison. In this study, eleven spent cartridges were subjected to SPME-GC-MS and the chemical attribution signatures in each profile were identified. Subsequently, the organic GSR profiles across various ammunition types were compared, and lastly, a screening methodology for classification of GSR profiles was proposed. The SPME-GC-MS analysis carried on the spent cartridges had detected five key compounds, including diphenylamine (DPA), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), ethyl centralite (EC), tributyl acetylcitrate (TAC), and butyl citrate, that possessed important role in propellant powders. Comparative analysis of OGSR profiles across different ammunition types revealed the choice of stabilisers and plasticisers used were found to be varied. Based on the proposed screening methodology that employing the presence of detected OGSR compound to categorise and differentiate samples, five distinct categories were formed. By applying such screening methodology, unknown samples could be associated with potential ammunition types or distinguished based on the specific sources. To conclude, the study had successfully profile the organic GSR from spent cartridges, and the screening method could serve as a useful tool for classifying and distinguishing GSR samples, assisting forensic investigation in criminal cases involving firearm.
format	Thesis
qualification_level	Master's degree
author	Hui, Lim Lea
author_facet	Hui, Lim Lea
author_sort	Hui, Lim Lea
title	Forensic profiling of gunshot residues (GSR) from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS)
title_short	Forensic profiling of gunshot residues (GSR) from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS)
title_full	Forensic profiling of gunshot residues (GSR) from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS)
title_fullStr	Forensic profiling of gunshot residues (GSR) from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS)
title_full_unstemmed	Forensic profiling of gunshot residues (GSR) from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS)
title_sort	forensic profiling of gunshot residues (gsr) from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (spme-gc-ms)
granting_institution	Universiti Sains Malaysia
granting_department	Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan
publishDate	2023
url	http://eprints.usm.my/60216/1/LIM%20LEA%20HUI-E.pdf
_version_	1794024108430721024

Forensic profiling of gunshot residues (GSR) from spent cartridges by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS)

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