Honors Theses
Date of Award
2010
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
First Advisor
Nathan Hammer
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Research has demonstrated that Laserâ€Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) can be used as an effective method of screening for the common elemental components in gunshot residue. Barium (Ba), lead (Pb), and antimony (Sb) make up the primer cap of most ammunition involved in forensic gunshot residue analysis. Recently, ammunition manufacturers have started producing and popularizing ammunition with zinc (Zn), titanium (Ti), and gadolinium (Gd) primer components that are nonâ€toxic to the environment. This paper discusses the development of the Ole Miss Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry's first LIBS instrument for forensic analysis of leadâ€free using Gd as a tracer element for identification purposes. A Silva method of sampling was adopted using a nonâ€emissive 3M tape to lift GSR from the subject's hands after firing the weapon. Samples using the leadâ€based and leadâ€free bullets were analyzed by LIBS system consisting of an Ocean Optics USB2000 CCD Camera with a Continuum 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser as the excitation source. Each sample was analyzed by multiple laser pulses fired at various locations on the sample surface. Spectra was taken from Ba, Pb, Zn, and Gd standards and emission lines were identified for all elements but Gd. Leadâ€free and leadâ€based gunshot residue sample spectra were also obtained, but were found to be too noisy for emission line identification due to the lack of a time†controlled camera system. Further discussion in this thesis describes how this problem can be rectified so that this project may continue in the future.
Recommended Citation
Gregg, Ryan Alexander, "Development of a Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometer for Lead-Free Gunshot Residue Analysis" (2010). Honors Theses. 806.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/806
Accessibility Status
Searchable text