- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 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
- Introduction
- Objectives
- AFTE Knowledge and Ability Factors
- Powders and Residues
- Examination
- Distance Determination
- Significance of Results
- Contact Shot
- Nitrite Residues
- Vaporous Lead Residues
- Residues Consistent with the Passage of a Bullet
- Residues Consistent with the Discharge of a Firearm
- Interpretation Challenges
- Reproduction of Results
- Nitrite Residue Patterns
- Shot Patterning
- Chemical Testing
- Shot Pattern Reproduction
- Selected Bibliography
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Contact Shot
Home > Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination > Distance Determination > Contact Shot
Contact shot with tearing of the material
and soot around the entrance hole.
The most basic type of distance determination occurs when the muzzle of the firearm is in contact with the target at the time of discharge. When fired at close range, the bullet, high velocity gases, and residues commonly cause gross physical effects and residue deposits that are easily observed by the unaided eye.
The physical effects that indicate a contact shot may include
- ripping and tearing of cloth,
- burning and/or singeing of cloth,
- melted tips of artificial fibers,
- heavy vaporous lead (smoke) deposits around a suspected bullet hole.
The Modified Griess Test and the Sodium Rhodizonate Test may yield positive results and are confirmatory in nature if the physical effects are sufficient to support the conclusion of a contact shot. Because these effects indicate a contact situation (regardless of caliber or cartridge type), no suspect firearm is required to confirm distance.
