Gunshot residue and airbags: Part II. A case study. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laflèche, Denis J.N.; Hearns, Nigel G.R.
• Is Part Of: Journal. Volume 52:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 26
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Gunshot Residue -- Scanning Electron Microscopy -- Energy dispersive X-ray Analysis -- Airbags -- GSR-similar particles; résidus de tir -- un microscope électronique à balayage avec détecteur de rayons X à dispersion d'énergie -- les coussins gonflables -- particules similaires aux RT; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Criminal investigation -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 363.2506071
• DOI: 10.1080/00085030.2018.1543008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-5030

Abstract

Abstract: We report a case of a shooting incident where analysis of airbag residue was of critical importance to interpret the forensic significance of gunshot residue (GSR) found on a suspect. The suspect had allegedly fired a gun at the victim after having been involved in a motor vehicle collision. Airbags in the suspect's vehicle had deployed during the collision, potentially exposing the suspect to a non-firearm source of GSR-similar particles. Samples collected from the interior of the deployed airbags were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and no particles similar to particles characteristic of GSR were found, eliminating the airbags as a potential source of GSR found on the suspect.