- 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
Vaporous Lead Residues
Home > Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination > Distance Determination > Vaporous Lead Residues
Cloud-like array of lead residues
leaving the muzzle of a revolver
Vaporous lead (smoke) residues are characteristically deposited at closer ranges. These deposits are chemically detectable by an application of the Sodium Rhodizonate Test.
Results are useful in
- determining the maximum distance of the vaporous lead deposits,
- corroborating the results of the Modified Griess Test.
This type of residue is projected from the muzzle of a firearm as a cloud-like array. However, these smoke residues are projected only to a particular maximum distance. This distance can be determined by experimentation using the suspect firearm and ammunition in known-distance test firings.
