Significance of Results

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A prime consideration in the interpretation of any type of gunshot residue is that conclusions must be given as a result of the presence of residue(s). All gunshot residues and physical effects should be mutually corroborative and consistent unless some extraordinary circumstance existed before, during, or after a shooting incident. Thus, the results of the Modified Griess Test, the Dithiooxamide Test, and the Sodium Rhodizonate Test should not be in conflict with each other or with any physical effects present.

The absence of gunshot residue cannot be used as a basis for distance determination. Only residues that are observed as present are a basis for reproduction and comparison.

Residues may be absent for a number of reasons:

Careless evidence handling
Life-saving efforts of emergency medical personnel
An intervening object at the time of discharge
Masking of gunshot residues by dried blood or other debris
Shot fired from a distance beyond the maximum distance for the deposit of any residue

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