Forensic Science International
Volume 158, Issue 1 , Pages 52-64, 20 April 2006

Application of lead isotope analysis in shooting incident investigations☆☆☆

  • Arie Zeichner

      Affiliations

    • Division of Identification and Forensic Science (DIFS), Israel Police National Headquarters, Jerusalem 91906, Israel
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +972 2 5309414; fax: +972 2 5308688.
    • ,
  • Sarah Ehrlich

      Affiliations

    • Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhey Israel st., Jerusalem 95501, Israel
    • ,
  • Ezra Shoshani

      Affiliations

    • Division of Identification and Forensic Science (DIFS), Israel Police National Headquarters, Jerusalem 91906, Israel
    • ,
  • Ludwik Halicz

      Affiliations

    • Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhey Israel st., Jerusalem 95501, Israel

Received 12 December 2004; received in revised form 27 January 2005; accepted 31 January 2005. published online 20 June 2005.

Abstract 

A study was conducted to examine the potential of the considerable variability of the lead isotope compositions in bullets (projectiles) and primers in shooting incident investigations. Multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP/MS) was used to analyze lead isotopic compositions in projectiles, cartridge cases, firearms discharge residues (FDR) in barrels of firearms and in the gunshot entries. .22 caliber plain lead and plated ammunition and 9mm Luger full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition were employed in shooting experiments using semiautomatic pistols. Cotton cloth served as the target material and two firing distances were tested; 1cm (near contact) and 2m distances. It was observed that various mechanical or chemical means of cleaning do not completely remove lead deposits (“lead memory”) from barrels of firearms. Nonetheless, it was shown that analysis of lead isotopic composition may provide valuable evidence in investigating specific scenarios of shooting incidents. For instance in a shoot-out where several firearms and ammunition brands are involved, it may be feasible to point out which ammunition and/or firearm caused a particular gunshot entry if the ammunition brands involved (bullets and primers) differ considerably in their lead isotopic composition.

Keywords: Forensic science, Lead isotope, MC-ICP/MS, FDR, GSR, Shooting distance, Gunshot entry

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☆ This project was funded by the US/Israeli Bilateral Committee on Counter-Terrorism.

☆☆ Parts of this work were presented at the 35th Annual AFTE Training Seminar, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 23–28 May 2004 and at the ENFSI Firearms-GSR Working Group 11th Annual Meeting, Madrid, Spain, 13–15 October 2004.

PII: S0379-0738(05)00238-0

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2005.01.020

Forensic Science International
Volume 158, Issue 1 , Pages 52-64, 20 April 2006

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