A suspect claims he has not fired a weapon. The forensic team needs to determine if he recently handled or fired a gun. The paraffin test is no longer used. What is the current gold standard method for detecting and characterizing gunshot residue on the suspect's hands?

• A Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy ✓
• B Atomic absorption spectroscopy alone
• C Neutron activation analysis alone
• D Thin layer chromatography

Explanation

Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) is the gold standard for gunshot residue analysis. It allows visualization of characteristic spherical primer residue particles and their elemental composition (barium, antimony, lead). Atomic absorption and neutron activation analysis only detect elements, not the morphology of the particles. Thin layer chromatography is used for organic GSR, but SEM-EDX is the standard for inorganic primer residues.

Reference: Saferstein, Forensic Science Handbook, Volume 1, 1st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.