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                            Library & Multimedia
 Trace Metal Analysis by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry and X-Ray K-Edge Densitometry of Forensic Samples
NCJ Number
              250420

Author(s)
          Jonna Elizabeth Berry
Date Published

December 2015
Length
              170 pages
Annotation
              This dissertation describes a variety of studies  on the determination of trace elements in samples that have forensic importance.
Abstract
              Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to determine the trace element composition of numerous lipstick samples. Most lipstick samples of similar colors were readily distinguishable at a 95 percent confidence interval based on trace element composition. Numerous strands of a multi-strand speaker cable were analyzed by LA-ICP-MS. The strands in this study are spatially heterogeneous in trace element composition. In actual forensic applications, the possibility of spatial heterogeneity must be considered, especially in cases where only small samples (e.g., copper wire fragments after an explosion) are available. The effects of many unpredictable variables - such as weather, temperature, and human activity - on the retention of gunshot residue (GSR) around projectile wounds were also assessed with LA-ICP-MS. Skin samples around gunshot and stab wounds and larvae feeding in and around the wounds on decomposing pig carcasses were analyzed for elements consistent with GSR (Sb, Pb, Ba, and Cu). These elements were detected at higher levels in skin and larvae samples around the gunshot wounds compared to the stab wounds for an extended period of time throughout decomposition in both a winter and a summer study. After decomposition, radiographic images of the pig bones containing possible damage from bullets revealed metallic particles embedded within a number of bones. Metallic particles within the bones were analyzed with x-ray, K-edge densitometry and determined to contain lead, indicating that bullet residue can be retained throughout decomposition and detected within bones containing projectile trauma. 1 table, 3 figures, and 23 references
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2013-IJ-CX-0012


  
  
        
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        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Report (Grant Sponsored)


  
  
        
  Award
        Detection of Gunshot Residue in Blowfly Larvae, Decomposing Porcine Tissue, and Porcine Bone Using Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
    
  
  
Date Published: December 1, 2015
    
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