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Gunshot Residue (GSR)

Definition

Microscopic particulate residue containing antimony, barium and lead deposited on the shooter's hand, face and clothing at discharge. Collected by adhesive lift or swab and analysed by SEM-EDX.

Related terms

Abrasion Collar
The rim of abraded, dried skin surrounding a gunshot entry wound, produced by the bullet stretching the skin inward before perforation. Width...
Country-Made Firearm (Katta)
Locally manufactured, usually smooth-bore, single-shot weapon common in Indian murder cases. Low chamber pressure, inconsistent ammunition, atypical wound patterns.
Rifled Firearm
A firearm whose bore has spiral grooves that spin the projectile for stability (rifle, handgun). The rifling leaves class-characteristic land-and-groove marks on...
Smooth-Bore Firearm
A firearm with an unrifled barrel (e.g. shotgun, country-made katta). Fires pellets or shot; produces dispersion patterns rather than a single projectile...
Tattooing (Stippling)
Punctate, non-wipeable haemorrhagic specks around an entry wound, caused by unburnt and partly burnt powder grains impacting the skin. A close- to...

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