The analysis of organic ballistic materials

Both gas chromatography/mass chromatography (GC/MS) and solid phase microextraction (SPME) methodologies have been developed for the extraction and analysis of compounds encountered in relation to unburned propellant powders from firearm ammunitions. These methods allowed the detection of 27 compounds that may be present in organic gunshot residues (OGSR). The developed methodologies were applied to the analysis of unburned propellant and OGSR from spent ammunition cartridges and fabrics subjected to firearm discharges. Throughout the study a total of 16 ammunition types where investigated. Work carried out on the suitability of various SPME fibre types showed that 65μm PDMS/DVB was the most appropriate type for extracting the compounds of interest. Extractions carried out on unburned propellant powders showed that all of the ammunitions analysed produced different chromatographic results. All of the ammunitions in the analysed population could be differentiated from one another; it was determined to be highly unlikely that false matches could occur.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Nottingham Trent University

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Dalby, OJ

Language dc:language

en