Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025

Quantitative Analysis of Vacuum Induction Melting by Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Published on: June 10, 2019
Assessing the shooting distance of lead-free ammunition regardless of composition using Laser Induced Breakdown
Alicia Doña-Fernández1, Jose Antonio Rodriguez-Pascual2,3, Israel de Andres-Gimeno4
1Defence and Security System (Indra), Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
At present, it is challenging to accurately determine firearm shooting distances in the case that lead-free ammunition is involved, largely because different manufacturers use different primer compositions. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) allows the simultaneous detection of multiple elements with high sensitivity and so may represent a solution to this problem. Previous studies have, in fact, demonstrated that LIBS can be used to determine shooting distances when working with gunshot residues from conventional ammunition based on scanning fabric surfaces. The present study confirms that the shooting distance can be ascertained using LIBS to detect copper originating from the ammunition casing and projectile but not the primer on fabric surfaces. This estimation can be performed regardless of the primer composition of lead-free ammunition.
Key Points:
Evaluation of gunshot residue from lead-free ammunition using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicated that 40% of the particles contained copper.The iForenLIBS system allowed the detection of copper-containing particles on fabric surfaces after firing at different distances with high sensitivity.Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy can determine the shooting distance of lead-free ammunition through copper detection even in ammunition that does not used this element in the primer.This technique can generate density maps allowing the evaluation of short, medium, and long-range shooting distances.
More Related Videos
08:53Dependence of Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Results on Pulse Energies and Timing Parameters Using Soil Simulants
Published on: September 23, 2013
09:40Measurement and Analysis of Atomic Hydrogen and Diatomic Molecular AlO, C2, CN, and TiO Spectra Following Laser-induced Optical Breakdown
Published on: February 14, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Radiation and Light Sources
Two common narrow-range 'line' sources used in AAS are hollow-cathode lamps (HCLs) and...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing...
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Interference