SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENTS IN GSR DETECTION AND THEIR ECOLOGICAL IMPACT

One of the essential elements in forensic analysis during firearm-related cases is the detection of gunshot residue (GSR), released during firing. There are various methods for detecting these particles, and these methods have evolved over the years with advancements in technology. At first, simpler methods such as the paraffin test and optical microscopy were used; as technology advanced, the use of SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) began, significantly improving the detection accuracy of these particles, and that marked a new era. Development was also noted in later periods, when methods such as SIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry), GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) were also introduced. Although these methods enabled high accuracy and sensitivity, further development was still needed, because the negative ecological impact that they could cause due to high energy consumption, chemical reagents, and the creation of toxic waste encouraged the development of methods that, in addition to accuracy, are also eco-friendly. In response to these concerns, Raman Spectroscopy, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), and biosensors were presented. The purpose of this paper is to present how the methods for detecting GSR have evolved and which of them offer more environmentally sustainable alternatives.