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Preliminary stable isotope analyses for propellant discrimination in shotshells.

Nam Yee Kim1, Byeong-Yeol Song2, Dong-Hwan Kim3

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Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM
|February 22, 2021
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Summary

Stable isotope analysis, including bulk stable isotope analysis (BSIA) and compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA), effectively identified the origin of nine shotshell propellants. Combined methods distinguished all samples, confirming diverse ingredients and sources.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Science
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Determining the identity and origin of shotshell propellants is crucial for forensic investigations.
  • Existing methods require enhancement for precise propellant source attribution.
  • Organic component analysis and stable isotope analysis were explored for propellant characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate methods for tracing the origin of shotshell propellants.
  • To investigate the efficacy of bulk stable isotope analysis (BSIA) and compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) for propellant discrimination.
  • To determine the identity and sources of various shotshell propellant samples.

Main Methods:

  • Nine shotshell propellant samples from different global sources were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and thin-layer chromatography for organic components.
  • Bulk stable isotope analysis (BSIA) was performed using elemental analysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometry without prior sample treatment.
  • Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) focused on nitroglycerin in double-base propellants, involving ether extraction and isotope ratio measurements via gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Main Results:

  • Organic component analysis classified the nine samples into five groups, while BSIA yielded eight classification groups.
  • Two samples remained indistinguishable by organic component analysis and BSIA alone.
  • The subsequent application of CSIA for nitroglycerin successfully differentiated all nine samples, indicating distinct ingredients or raw material sources.

Conclusions:

  • Combined stable isotope ratio analyses (BSIA and CSIA) alongside organic component analysis provide robust discrimination of shotshell propellants.
  • The investigated methods successfully distinguished nine propellant samples from seven brands across four countries, suggesting diverse manufacturing origins.
  • These isotope analysis techniques offer reliable results for origin tracing and identity determination of propellants.