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Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of smokeless gunpowders and macroscopic gunshot residues.
- Source :
-
Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry [Anal Bioanal Chem] 2016 Jul; Vol. 408 (18), pp. 4965-73. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Apr 30. - Publication Year :
- 2016
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Abstract
- Gunshot residues (GSR) result from the discharge of a firearm being a potential piece of evidence in criminal investigations. The macroscopic GSR particles are basically formed by burned and non-burned gunpowder. Motivated by the demand of trace analysis of these samples, in this paper, the use of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was evaluated for the analysis of gunpowders and macroscopic GSR particles. Twenty-one different smokeless gunpowders were extracted with ethanol. SERS spectra were obtained from the diluted extracts using gold nanoaggregates and an excitation wavelength of 633 nm. They show mainly bands that could be assigned to the stabilizers diphenylamine and ethylcentralite present in the gunpowders. Then, macroscopic GSR particles obtained after firing two different ammunition cartridges on clothing were also measured using the same procedure. SERS allowed the detection of the particles collected with an aluminum stub from cloth targets without interferences from the adhesive carbon. The results demonstrate the great potential of SERS for the analysis of macroscopic GSR particles. Furthermore, they indicate that the grain-to-grain inhomogeneity of the gunpowders needs to be considered. Graphical Abstract SERS allows the detection of GSR particles collected with adhesive stubs from cloth targets using gold nanoaggregates and an excitation wavelength of 633 nm.
- Subjects :
- Ethanol chemistry
Firearms classification
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
Specimen Handling methods
Textiles analysis
Explosive Agents analysis
Explosive Agents chemistry
Forensic Ballistics methods
Gold chemistry
Metal Nanoparticles chemistry
Spectrum Analysis, Raman methods
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1618-2650
- Volume :
- 408
- Issue :
- 18
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 27137517
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-016-9591-z