Implementation and Optimization of the Sodium-Rhodizonate Method for Chemographic Shooting Distance Estimation

• Geusens, Nadia ^[1] ; Nys, Bart ^[1] ; Charles, Sébastien ^[1]
  1. [1] National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology‐Criminalistics, Vilvoordsesteenweg.Belgium
• Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 64, Nº. 4, 2019, págs. 1169-1172
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • In shooting incident investigations where it is important to estimate the shooting distance, the sodium-rhodizonate coloring method has been used for the visualization of GSR patterns extensively. This publication describes the optimization of this method by the use of a heated press for the transfer of GSR traces on garments, as well as variation of a number of other important process parameters. Our final aim for this project was to prepare a formal validation of the coloring method as prerequisite for its inclusion into the scope of ISO17025-certified methods in the GSR Laboratory. A number of important factors and process parameters were identified, such as buffer composition and pH, type of textile used as a substrate and resolution of the documentation of the results. Results were tested using a synthetic proficiency test. Our optimized method has been found to be a very effective technique for visualization of macroscopic GSR traces.