Sampling protocols for the detection of smokeless powder residues using capillary electrophoresis

Present techniques for the detection of gunshot residue rely primarily metallic primer components such as lead, barium and antimony. With the advent of reformulated primers that reduce or eliminate these elements, new methods for the detection of organic residue compounds will be needed. Micellar electrokinetic capillary electrophoresis (MECE) is one technique that has been successfully applied to the analysis of these smokeless powder residue compounds. Protocols for the recovery of the organic residue components under a variety of sampling conditions were evaluated and improved for MECE analysis. The collection of residue samples where external contaminants such as grease or blood were present on the residue substrate were investigated using both tape lifts and solvent swab protocols. In addition, residue component recovery using supercritical fluid extraction techniques was preliminarily evaluated for samples contaminated with blood.