Studies of the spatial distribution of firearms discharge residues

Fingerprint lifting tape has been applied to the lifting of firearms discharge residue from various surfaces. Lifting efficiencies from coarse fabric ranged from 30 to 70%. Use of the technique has been demonstrated in identifying a bullet hole and in measuring residue patterns on floor and firing hand surfaces. In hand lifts it has been shown that autoradiography alone does not uniquely distinguish the hand of someone who has fired a revolver from the hand of someone who has not. Neutron activation analysis of lifts from selected hand areas may, however, provide such a distinction.