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

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Development of Characterized GSR Reference Stubs

Keyword(s): Gunshot Residue, GSR, Particulate Size, Reference Material, Instrument Performance, 

Method

Submitting subcommittee(s): Igntiable Liquids, Explosives, & 

Gunshot Residue 

Date Approved: 3/02/2021

(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. Laboratories using SEM/EDS for characterization of GSR lack access to standardized QA/QC

samples that can be used to gauge instrument performance and comparability across laboratories. The

community needs access to fully characterized reference stubs that have a known number of particles, 

a known number of characterized GSR (or GSR simulant) particulates of known particulate sizes and at 

specifically known locations. The stubs would be used as proficiency tests as well as instrument 

controls that will allow labs to determine if their procedures are performing adequately and 

comparably as also demanded in the OSAC approved publication “Proposed Practices for Validating the 

Performance of Instruments Used for Automated Inorganic Gunshot Residue Analysis” [20].

Furthermore, this research is foundational for development of future validation and error rate studies

in order to upgrade the current ASTM E1588 Standard Practice into a Standard Test Method.

On behalf of the ENFSI Expert Working Group Firearms/GSR, the BKA in Wiesbaden, Germany, started 

some years ago the development and preparation of identical GSR test sample sets simulating “real 

case samples” by using a special technique to produce synthetic GSR particles [2, 9]. These types of 

samples are currently successfully used by the ENFSI Expert Working Group Firearms/GSR in 

performing proficiency tests [12, 13].

A modified/altered set of synthetic samples using recurrent/repetitive structures of synthetic GSR 

particles could be designed and produced in order to improve method validation, especially for modern 

nontoxic primer ammunitions. 

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)?

There are no current research or studies known, that focus on the development and production of 

synthetic GSR for method validation and optimization.

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] A. Zschunke. The Role of Reference Materials in Analytical Chemistry. Accreditation and Quality Assurance. 2003, 8, 247.
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[2] L. Niewoehner, H. W. Wenz, J. Andrasko, R. Beijer and L. Gunaratnam. Enfsi Proficiency Test Program on Identification of 

GSR by SEM/EDX. J. Forensic Sci. 2003, 48, 786.

[3] J. M. Amigo, G. Arana, N. Etxebarria and L. A. Fernandez. Emerging Needs for Sustained Production of Laboratory 

Reference Materials. Trac-Trends Anal. Chem. 2004, 23, 80.

[4] H. Emons, T. P. J. Linsinger and B. M. Gawlik. Reference Materials: Terminology and Use. Can't One See the Forest for the 

Trees? Trac-Trends Anal. Chem. 2004, 23, 442.

[5] M. Lauwaars and E. Anklam. Method Validation and Reference Materials. Accreditation and Quality Assurance. 2004, 9, 

253.

[6] A. M. H. van der Veen. Trends in the Certification of Reference Materials. Accreditation and Quality Assurance. 2004, 9, 

232.

[7] Niewoehner, L., et al. New Ammunitions for the German Police. SCANNING, The Journal of Scanning Microscopies, Vol 27, 

No. 2, 2005, p. 69

[8] U. Admon, D. Donohue, H. Aigner, G. Tamborini, O. Bildstein and M. Betti. Multiple-Instrument Analyses of Single MicronSize Particles. Microsc. Microanal. 2005, 11, 354.

[9] L. Niewoehner, J. Andrasko, J. Biegstraaten, L. Gunaratnam, S. Steffen and S. Uhlig. Maintenance of the ENFSI Proficiency 

Test Program on Identification of GSR by SEM/EDX (GSR2003). J. Forensic Sci. 2005, 50, 877.

[10] W. A. MacCrehan and M. Bedner. Development of a Smokeless Powder Reference Material for Propellant and Explosives 

Analysis. For. Sci Int. 2006, 163, 119.

[11] T. Venelinov and A. Sahuquillo. Optimizing the Uses and the Costs of Reference Materials in Analytical Laboratories. 

Trac-Trends Anal. Chem. 2006, 25, 528.

[12] L. Niewöhner and R. Schumacher; Synthetic Gunshot Residues (GSR) Samples for SEM/EDX-Systems in Quality 

Assurance - Applications in Proficiency Testing, Validation, and System Monitoring; Poster at NIST Particle Workshop 2006; 

Gaithersburg; USA

[13] L. Niewoehner, J. Andrasko, J. Biegstraaten, L. Gunaratnam, S. Steffen, S. Uhlig and S. Antoni. GSR2005 - Continuity of the 

ENFSI Proficiency Test on Identification of GSR by SEM/EDX. J. Forensic Sci. 2008, 53, 162.

[14] M. C. Kline, D. L. Duewer, J. C. Travis, M. V. Smith, J. W. Redman, P. M. Vallone, A. E. Decker and J. M. Butler. Production 

and Certification of NIST Standard Reference Material 2372 Human DNA Quantitation Standard. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2009, 

394, 1183.

[15] G. Zappa, P. Carconi, R. Gatti, A. D'Alessio, R. Di Bonito, L. Mosiello and C. Zoani. Feasibility Study for the Development of 

a Toner-Reference Material. Measurement. 2009, 42, 1491.

[16] T. P. J. Linsinger, G. Roebben, C. Solans and R. Ramsch. Reference Materials for Measuring the Size of Nanoparticles. 

Trac-Trends Anal. Chem. 2011, 30, 18.

[17] R. Zeleny and H. Schimmel. Influence of the Approach to Calibration on the Accuracy and the Traceability of Certified 

Values in Certified Reference Materials. Trac-Trends Anal. Chem. 2012, 33, 107.

[18] J. E. T. Andersen. On the Development of Quality Assurance. Trac-Trends Anal. Chem. 2014, 60, 16.

[19] N. G. R. Hearns, D. N. Lafleche and M. L. Sandercock. Preparation of a Ytterbium-Tagged Gunshot Residue Standard for 

Quality Control in the Forensic Analysis of GSR. J. Forensic Sci. 2015, 60, 737.

[20] Ritchie, N.; DeGaetano, D.; Edwards, D.; Niewöhner, L.; Platek, F.; Wyatt, J. M.; Proposed Practices for Validating the 

Performance of Instruments Used for Automated Inorganic Gunshot Residue Analysis; Forensic Chemistry. 2020, 20.

[21] K. Menking-Hoggatt , C. Martinez , C. Vander Pyl , E. Heller , E. Pollock , L. Arroyo , T. Trejos. Development of tailor-made 

inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR) microparticle standards and characterization with a multi-technique approach. Talanta 

225 (2021) 121984.

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?

No.

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

Reference stubs made specifically for GSR analysis are vital for establishing baseline method

capabilities, figures of merit, and for QA/QC. There currently are:

- no two-component reference stubs representing Sinoxid® type ammunition, and 

- no reference stubs representing various types of “nontoxic”, “lead-free” ammunition available.
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A new design for reference samples should be developed and produced with recurring/repetitive

structures allowing a quick and reliable control of SEM/EDS system validation and performance 

optimization for case work as also demanded in [20].

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

subcommittee(s)?

The availability of these reference stubs would help gauge method performance and capabilities across 

different laboratories.

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

By helping to ensure that methods and instruments are working properly and as per performance

specifications found in standardized methods.

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

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.