On the Mechanism of Gunshot Residue Particle Formation

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Abstract
The results of the present study are consistent with the hypothesis that gunshot residue is formed by the condensation of vaporized bullet and primer materials that segregate into metallic and compound particles. Some of the metallic vapors are oxidized and “scavenged” by oxygen and sulfur-rich primer compounds, among which the sulfur compounds appear to be more effective. The “bullet” particles of the residue thus originate in the bullet material, and the “primer” particles are a mixture of primer-derived and bullet-derived materials.