- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- Introduction
- Objectives
- AFTE Knowledge and Ability Factors
- Types of Evidence
- Associative Evidence
- The Crime Scene
- Evidence Submission
- Laboratory Evidence Handling
- Case Tracking Within the Laboratory
- Firearm and Toolmark Examination Considerations
- Selected Bibliography
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Gunshot Residue
Home > Evidence Handling Procedures > Firearm and Toolmark Examination Considerations > Gunshot Residue
Close-up of gunshot residue pattern on
white cotton cloth, chemically
treated to appear pink
Gunshot residues are usually within the purview of the firearm examiner. This type of minute residue may be visually apparent; it is most often arrayed as a pattern around a suspected bullet hole. Low power microscopy and chemically specific color-producing tests may be required for detection.
Residue patterns can be reconstructed by firing a series of shots from the suspect firearm and ammunition at varying known distances per laboratory protocol.
Gunshot residue analyses and muzzle-to-target distance determinations are the subject of Module 12.
Click here to read more on Gunshot Residues/Distance Determinations in module 12.
