Strontium Peroxide (SrO2)
Definition
An initiating compound used in some lead-free primer formulations, particularly in Norma Sintox cartridges. Contributes Sr to the GSR particle signature. Sr is less common in environmental backgrounds than Zn or K, giving better analytical specificity.
- Role
- Primer initiating compound
- Used in
- Norma Sintox lead-free cartridges
- GSR signature
- Contributes strontium (Sr)
- Analytical advantage
- Sr has low environmental background
Common questions
Why does a low environmental background for Sr matter for GSR analysis?+
Common background elements like zinc and potassium turn up in many everyday and industrial sources, muddying interpretation, whereas strontium particles are far less likely to arise from anything other than a lead-free primer discharge, giving a cleaner analytical signal.
How is strontium detected in a gunshot residue examination?+
Particles collected from a hand or surface are examined by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, which identifies both the particle's shape and its elemental composition, confirming strontium alongside the particle's characteristic morphology.
Related terms
- Diazol / SINOXIDE
- A diazonium salt-based organic initiating compound used in Sintox and related lead-free primer formulations, replacing lead styphnate. Does not contribute Pb, Sb,...
- ENFSI EWG-GSR Best Practice Manual
- Published in 2016 by the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes Expert Working Group on Gunshot Residue. The primary guidance document for...
- ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry)
- A bulk elemental quantification technique that dissolves the entire hand swab or SEM stub and measures total element mass per sample. Complements...
- KED (Kinetic Energy Discrimination)
- An ICP-MS collision-reaction cell mode using helium gas to reduce polyatomic interferences on analyte masses. Used in GSR ICP-MS analysis to improve...
- NIST SRM 2710A / 2711A
- Montana Soil certified reference materials (CRMs) with certified concentrations of Pb, Sb, Ba, and many other elements. Used to calibrate and quality-control...
- Non-Toxic Ammunition (NTA)
- A broad product category encompassing any small-arms ammunition with lead-free primers and, often, lead-free projectile materials. Includes lines from Federal Premium, CCI,...
- 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...
- Zinc Peroxide (ZnO2)
- A fuel/oxidiser compound used in some lead-free primer formulations in place of antimony sulphide. Contributes Zn to the GSR particle signature; Zn...