Suspicious powder was found on several surfaces at two different
crime scenes. Your students must determine if the powder is gunpowder or
another substance.
Students will do a series of presumptive tests to determine if powder
from several surfaces is gunpowder. Then they will learn how to
analyze gunpowder with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) using a set
of video clips filmed at the SEM lab at Marshall University. Students
will receive a hard copy of the graphs, images, and other evidence from
the SEM to determine if the substance is indeed gunpowder.
As in all Lyle and Louise modules, this kit is geared to high school
and undergraduate courses, and is matched to National Science Education
Standards.
Included
- SEM data for 12 particles (graphs and images)
- 6 positive and negative control swabs
- Gunshot residue swabs taken from 6 different surfaces
- 50 alcohol swabs
- Pipettes for each group
- 6 bottles of diphenylamine
- 6 bottles of sodium rhodizonic acid
- Fully illustrated teacher’s manual with technique background
Required Equipment ( not included )
- Lab Gloves for each student
- Surfaces for alcohol swab tests (aluminum foil, weigh boats, or petri dishes)
- Ruler
- Distilled water
Storage Conditions
This item can be shipped and stored at room temperature.
