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

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Prevalence of Characteristic and Consistent GSR Particles

Keyword(s): Gunshot Residue, GSR, Primer residue, Prevalence

Submitting subcommittee(s): Ignitable 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, this research need addresses the prevalence of characteristic and consistent GSR particles in the United

States (US) population. There has long been a need for a large scale study on the prevalence of GSR particles,

both characteristic of and consistent with, on persons in the US. Many studies have been performed in various 

countries, but the difference in gun laws and firearm usage around the world limit the application of these 

studies from country to country. Data is needed both from people with no known association to firearms, and 

people with known associations to firearms (through employment or personal use). A study (or studies) is 

needed which allows for the evaluation of the probability of finding characteristic or consistent GSR particles on 

the hands of an individual not associated with a shooting event. The applicant must have experience and access 

to instrumentation using automated GSR software followed by manual confirmation of GSR particles by Scanning 

Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis.

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)?

No.

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] L. Ali, K. Brown, H. Castellano, and S. Wetzel. A Study of the Presence of Gunshot Residue in Pittsburg Police 

Stations using SEM/EDS and LC-MS/MS. J. Forensic Sci. 2016, 61,928.

[2] R. Berk, S. Rochowicz, M. Wong, and M. Kopina. GSR in Chicago Police Vehicles and Facilities: An Empirical 

Study. J. Forensic Sci. 2007, 52, 838.

[3] Z. Brozek-Mucha. On the Prevalence of Gunshot Residue in Selected Populations – An Empirical Study 

Performed with SEM-EDX Analysis. For. Sci. Int. 2014, 237, 46.
FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, December 1, 2020 2

[4] S. Charles and N. Geusens. A Study of Potential Risk of Gunshot Residue Transfer from Special Units of the 

Police to Arrested Suspects. For. Sci. Int. 2012, 216, 78.

[5] R. Gerard, E. Lindsay, M. McVicar, D. Randall, and A. Gapinska. Observations of Gunshot Residue Associated 

with Police Officers, Their Equipment, and Their Vehicles. J. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. 2012, 45, 57.

[6] D. Gialamas, E. Rhodes, and L. Sugarman. Officers, Their Weapons and Their Hands: An Empirical Study of 

GSR on the Hands of Non-Shooting Police Officers. J. For. Sci. 1995, 40, 1086.

[7] N. Lucas, H. Brown, M. Cook, K. Redman, T. Condon, H. Wrobel, K. Kirkbride, and H. Kobus. A Study into the 

Distribution of Gunshot Residue Particles in the Random Population. For. Sci. Int. 2016, 262, 150. 

[8] A. Stamouli, L. Niewöhner, M. Larsson, B. Colson, S. Uhlig, L. Fojtasek, F. Machado, L. Gunaratnam. Survey of 

Gunshot Residue Prevalence on the Hands of Individuals from Various Population Groups In and Outside Europe.

Forensic Chemistry. 2021, 23, 100308.

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?

The research results would improve the ability of laboratories to provide meaningful interpretation of gunshot 

residue test results.

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

subcommittee(s)?

The research results would improve the understanding of how commonly one could expect to find gunshot 

residue particles on a person in the US population. This will improve the understanding of the probative value of 

gunshot residue test results.

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

The research results would allow for a more meaningful interpretation of gunshot residue test results in reports 

and in courts of law. This will have the potential to increase the amount of information an investigator or court 

can gain from gunshot residue test results. 
FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, December 1, 2020 3

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.