ASTM E1588-20
Definition
ASTM International standard guide for gunshot residue analysis by SEM-EDS. Defines characteristic, consistent, and commonly-associated particle categories and sampling, analysis, and reporting requirements.
- Analytical method
- SEM-EDS (scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy)
- Particle categories
- Characteristic, consistent, commonly-associated
- Covers
- Sampling, analysis, reporting requirements
- Field
- Gunshot residue examination
Common questions
What is the difference between a 'characteristic' and a 'consistent' GSR particle under E1588?+
A characteristic particle has the elemental composition (typically lead, barium, antimony together) considered unique to firearm discharge. A consistent particle shares some but not all of that composition, so it supports but does not by itself confirm a GSR finding, which affects how strongly an examiner can phrase a conclusion.
Why does lead-free ammunition complicate GSR analysis under this standard?+
E1588's characteristic-particle definition centres on lead-barium-antimony composition, so ammunition using lead-free primers produces residue that does not fit that signature, requiring examiners to recognise alternative elemental profiles rather than relying on the classic categories alone.
Related terms
- Automated SEM-EDS
- A robotic scanning electron microscopy workflow using backscattered electron imaging for morphometric screening and automated EDS acquisition for elemental classification. Reduces analysis...
- Characteristic GSR Particle (ASTM E1588-20)
- A particle containing lead, barium and antimony together by SEM-EDS, with spherical morphology and size in the 0.5-10 micrometre range. The highest-specificity...
- DDNP (Diazodinitrophenol)
- A lead-free primary explosive used in some lead-free primer formulations. Produces strontium-antimony or tin-containing GSR particles depending on the oxidiser used.
- Lead Styphnate
- Lead trinitroresorcinate (Pb(C6H(NO2)3O2)), the primary explosive in conventional primer compounds. Co-oxidised with barium nitrate and antimony sulfide to produce the Pb-Ba-Sb triad...
- Organic GSR (OGSR)
- Propellant-derived residues including nitroglycerin, 2-NDPA, 4-NDPA, ethyl centralite and nitrocellulose fragments. Analysed by HPLC or GC-MS, independent of the inorganic SEM-EDS workflow.
- SINTOX
- A lead-free, heavy-metal-free primer formulation developed by DAG (Deutsche Ammunitions- und Geschossfabrik) and Geco in Germany in the 1990s-2000s, replacing lead styphnate...
- Ternary Diagram (Pb-Ba-Sb)
- A triangular compositional plot with Pb, Ba and Sb at the three vertices. Particles from conventional primer discharge cluster in the centre;...