Gunshot Residue Analysis

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.