ABSTRACT

In criminal cases associated vith gunshot, shooter identifi-cation is of significant importance in order to reveal the man-ner of death ( murder, suicide, accident). Determining the shooting hand is possible by analyzing the gunshot residue obtained from the suspect's hands.

The aim of this study is to determine gunshot residue both qualitatively and quantitatively and setting standards in Turkey performing experimental shootings vith handgun car-tridges produced by Mechanical and Chemical Industry Cor-poration and analyse vith Flameless Atomic Absorption Spechtrophotometer using chemical methods. In this study, experimental shootings vere carried out using 7.65mm Brovning and 9mm Parabellum type cartridges performing one, tvo and three shots vith right hand alone, left hand alone, and both hands together holding the gun. Gunshot residue is col-lected from the palmar and dorsal surfaces of both hands by using adhesive tapes (surgical zincoxide tape). This method vas preferred in order to obtain comparable results since the crime scene investigation teams collect gunshot residue in the same vay. Levels of antimony, lead and barium, the components of the primer of the cartridge, vere analyzed quantitatively by FAAS using 5% nitric acid in all samples.

There vas no linear increase in the amount of gunshot residue obtained vith respect to the increase in the number of shootings. In a similar vay, there vas no linear increase in the amount of gunshot residue vith respect to the increase in diam-eter either by using 7.65mm Brovning or 9mm Parabellum type cartridges. As a result the gunshot residue collection and analysis method in this study is considered as the most appro-priate method as it is easily available, cost effective and readily used method of collecting gunshot residue in Turkey.

Keywords: Flameless Atomic Absorption Spechtrophoto-meter, gunshot residues, firing hand determination, Mechani-cal and Chemical Industry Corporation