Customer Reviews

Current Methods in Forensic Gunshot Residue Analysis

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On the Morin review:
He obviously hasn't examined and compared the morphology and
chemistry differences between brake lining particulate and
GSR particulate. If he would look at the overall particle
population in each of the sample types and take a closer look
at the composition and morphology of those particles, perhaps
he might form a different opinion. I hope he doesn't have much
impact on the microscopists in the forensic community because
this and some of his other opinions are obsolete.

The authors's knowledge of internal ballistics is very poor and so they do not give a correct description of the phenomena related to the forming of GSR. They believe, for instance, that the particles solidification happens on the open, when the vapours escapes "through any available opening in the weapon" (page 11). This is not so, as it has been clearly explained (for example) by S. Basu in "Formation of gunshot residues" (Journal of Forensic Sciences, 27 - 1 - 1982). What is comical is that said article is reported in the book bibliography: one wonders if the authors took the trouble to read the material they list.
But what it is much worse is that they seems to ignore that particles containing lead, antimony and barium are not any more considered as unique as it has been proved, since 1998, that such particles can be produced by disk braking systems of some type of cars.
Almost useless for forensic purposes is the long chapter dedicated to the study of Plume Concentration.

Indeed a inadequate and potentially dangerous book.