Gunshot Residue Characteristics Quiz

Gunshot Residue Components

• Gunshot residue (GSR) consists of unburned gunpowder, primer residue, and metal particles from the bullet and cartridge case.

Gunshot Residue Formation on the Target

• The products of combustion, including soot, metal particles, and vaporized primer, are deposited on the target as a definite pattern.
• The products of combustion are formed during the firing process when the propellant is ignited.

Pattern of Gunshot Residue on the Target

• The definite pattern of GSR on the target is determined by the distance between the gun and the target, the angle of the shot, and the type of firearm and ammunition used.
• The distribution of GSR on the target is influenced by the muzzle velocity, the size and shape of the particles, and the air resistance.

Contributing Factors to Gunshot Residue on the Target

• The formation of GSR on the target is contributed to by the combustion of the propellant, the expansion of gases, and the ejection of particles from the muzzle.
• The type and amount of GSR deposited on the target depend on the caliber of the firearm, the type of ammunition, and the environmental conditions.

Test your knowledge of gunshot residue and its characteristics with this quiz. Explore the components and formation of gunshot residue, as well as the patterns it creates on targets at different distances.