FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 1 

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Comprehensive Feasibility of Organic Gunshot Residue Analysis

Describe

the need:

When a weapon is discharged, it generates two types of gunshot residue (GSR): inorganic 

and organic. Current analysis to determine if an individual came into contact with GSR 

focuses on the analysis of inorganic GSR. Several factors have contributed to the increasing 

interest in the forensic examination of organic GSR (OGSR). These include the availability of 

ammunitions containing lead-free primer mixtures, the need to differentiate GSR particles 

from other environmental sources, and the need to increase the overall efficiency and 

accuracy of GSR analysis. 

It is necessary to develop methods to supplement current inorganic GSR analysis. Advances 

in mass spectrometry have made possible the detection of OGSR in forensically relevant 

concentrations. Comprehensive feasibility studies that integrate metadata analysis of 

existing literature, method development and validation, and interpretation of analytical 

results are needed to transition this technology from the research laboratory to the 

forensic laboratory. The following research areas are identified as needing comprehensive 

studies and evaluation:

• Stability of OGSR on sampling media

• Sampling compatibility with established collection methods for pGSR by SEM/EDS 

• Discriminating power of selected OGSR compounds

• Additional OGSR targets (example: nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose degradation 

products)

• Persistence and secondary transfer characteristics

• Compatibility with existing forensic laboratory instrumentation

• Population studies and environmental background

Keyword(s): Gunshot Residue, GSR, Organic Gunshot Residue, OGSR, Analytical Methods

Submitting subcommittee(s): Ignitable Liquids, Explosives, and 

Gunshot Residue

Date Approved: July 7, 2022

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

Yes- OGSR analysis and interpretation

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?
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• Tatiana Trejos at West Virginia University has a NIJ research grant on analyzing organic gunshot residue

• Céline Weyermann and other faculty at the University of Lausanne are conducting research on organic 

gunshot residue analysis and factors affecting its analysis

• Paul Kirkbride at Flinders University is conducting research on the collection of organic gunshot residue 

and its prevalence in the community

• Members of the OSAC ILEXGSR Subcommittee are conducting research on the analysis of organic 

gunshot residue by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass 

spectrometry.

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

[1] Feeney, W., Vander Pyl, C., Bell, S., Trejos, T., Trends in composition , collection, persistence, and analysis 

of IGSR and OGSR: A review, For.Chem., 2020, 100250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forc.2020.100250. 

[2] Manganelli, M., Weyermann, C., Gassner, A-L., Surveys of organic gunshot residue prevalence: 

Comparison between civilian and police populations. For. Sci. Int. 2019, 298, 48-57, 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.02.050

[3] Taudte, R. V., Roux, C., Blanes, L., Horder, M., Kirkbride, K. P., Beavis, A. The Development and Comparison 

of Collection Techniques for Inorganic and Organic Gunshot Residues. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2016, 408, 2567. 

doi: 10.1007/s00216-16- 9357-7.

[4] Yeager, B., Bustin, K., Stewart, J., Dross, R., Bell, S. Evaluation and Validation of Ion Mobility Spectrometry 

for Presumptive Testing Targeting the Organic Constituents of Firearms Discharge Residue. Anal Methods. 

2015, 7, 9683.

[5] Taudte, R. V., Roux, C., Bishop, D., Blanes, L., Doble, P., Beavis. A. Development of a UHPLC Method for the 

Detection of Organic Gunshot Residues Using Artificial Neural Networks. Anal. Methods. 2015, 7, 7447. doi:

doi.org/10.1039/C5AY00306G.

[6] Tarifa, A., Almirall, J. R. Fast Detection and Characterization of Organic and Inorganic Gunshot Residues 

on the Hands of Suspects by CMV-GC-MS and Libs. Science & Justice: Journal of the Forensic Science Society. 

2015, 55, 168. doi: 10.1016/j.scijus.2015.02.003.

[7] Benito, S., Abrego, Z., Sanchez, A., Unceta, N., Goicolea, M. A., Barrio, R. J. Characterization of Organic 

Gunshot Residues in Lead-Free Ammunition Using a New Sample Collection Device for Liquid 

Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Forensic. Sci Int. 2015, 246, 79. doi: 

10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.11.002.

[8] Taudte, R. V., Beavis, A., Blanes, L., Cole, N., Doble, P., Roux, C. Detection of Gunshot Residues Using Mass 

Spectrometry. Biomed Res. Int. 2014, doi: 10.1155/2014/965403.

[9] Abrego, Z., Grijalba, N., Unceta, N., Maguregui, M., Sanchez, A., Fernandez-Isla, A., Aranzazu Goicolea, M., 

Barrio, R. J. A Novel Method for the Identification of Inorganic and Organic Gunshot Residue Particles of LeadFree Ammunitions from the Hands of Shooters Using Scanning Laser Ablation-ICPMS and Raman MicroSpectroscopy. Analyst. 2014, 139, 6232. doi: 10.1039/c4an01051e.

[10] Thomas, J. L., Lincoln, D., McCord, B. R. Separation and Detection of Smokeless Powder Additives by Ultra 

Performance Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS). J. Forensic Sci. 2013, 

58, 609. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12096.

[11] Morelato, M., Beavis, A., Ogle, A., Doble, P., Kirkbride, P., Roux, C. Screening of Gunshot Residues Using 

Desorption Electrospray Ionisation-Mass Spectrometry (DESI-MS). Forensic Sci Int. 2012, 217, 101. doi:

10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.10.030.

[12] Arndt, J., Bell, S., Crookshanks, L., Lovejoy, M., Oleska, C., Tulley, T., Wolfe, D. Preliminary Evaluation of the 

Persistence of Organic Gunshot Residue, For. Sci. Int. 2012, 222, 137. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.05.011.
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[13] Laza, D., Nys, B., De Kinder, J., Mesmaeker, A. K. D., Moucheron, C. Development of a Quantitative LC-MS/MS 

Method for the Analysis of Common Propellant Powder Stabilizers in Gunshot Residue. J. Forensic Sci. 2007, 52, 

842. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00490.x.

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

Yes. Comprehensive evaluation of the detection and utility of organic gunshot residues

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

The research results would provide the basis for integrating OGSR analysis into existing laboratory capabilities. 

The work could also yield options for novel approaches for screening for GSR and improving efficiency of 

laboratory analysis.

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

The research results will provide fundamental information on the characteristics of organic gunshot residue and 

evaluate its potential as a forensic chemical evidence.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

The research results would improve services to the criminal justice system by providing methods and data 

needed to integrate OGSR into forensic analysis of gunshot residue. OGSR analysis is anticipated to supplement 

primer GSR analysis and add to the weight and value of GSR evidence in cases involving the use of a firearm.

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): II

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.