U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Shooting Distance Determination: Identifying Variables Affecting Lead Density on a Target
NCJ Number
              254403

Author(s)
          Elizabeth A. Gardner
Date Published

May 2019
Length
              11 pages
Annotation
              This is the Final Summary Overview of the findings and methodology of a project with the goal of developing a statistical foundation that supports the established methods for determining the muzzle-to-target distance based on empirical research, so as to demonstrate quantitatively that the lead distribution on a target is directly related to the firing distance.
Abstract
              One principal finding is that the lead extraction method with nitric acid is effective in extracting the elemental lead from the target, as well as lead salts. A second finding is that the limit of detection (LOD) for lead by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is lower than the LOD for the sodium rhodizonate test. This finding has implications for both lead-free and total-metal-jacket bullets. Even hollow points often have an aerodynamic polymer plug that covers the point of the bullet. If these trends continue, chemical analysis of targets may become more important in gunshot residue (GSR) analysis for shooting distance determinations. A third finding is that the ratio of lead density of the inner (1.0 cm-5 cm) to the outer (5 cm-19 cm) rings of the target does not provide better distance determination than the sum of the lead from 1.0 cm-7.5 cm. A fourth principal finding is that the differences in the data between analysts varied to a greater extent than the data collected by one analyst. Although the researchers advise that this project has not fully identified the factors that affect the lead deposition, the greater lead sensitivity of the AAS is a sufficient reason to continue examining analytical methods for determining shooting distances. Project design and methods are described. 2 figures and a listing of sources for the dissemination of project methods and results
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2016-DN-BX-0184


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Program/Project Description


  
  
        
  Award
        Shooting Distance Determination: Identifying Variables Affecting Lead Density on a Target
    
  
  
Date Published: May 1, 2019
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Crime analysis
        Crime Scene
        Crime scene analysis
        Crime scene investigation
        Forensic sciences



  
Similar Publications
        
                      A Diagnosis of the Primary Difference between EuroForMix and STRmixTM
                  Interactive Map: Medicolegal Death Investigation Data Flow
                  Chromatographic and mass spectral studies on methoxymethcathinones related to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov