Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology Page 1 of 5
Paraffin Test and Gun Powder Residue – WEEK 4
Topic: Paraffin Test and Gun Powder Residue
I. INTRODUCTION:
This module will help you to determine whether a person has discharged a firearm, the Paraffin-
Diphenylamine test is used. The basis of this test is the presence of nitrates in the gunpowder residue. Also
they tacked some different types of gunpowder and guidelines therefore, the investigation of the crime can
easy solve.
II. OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
Differentiate paraffin Test and gunshot residue
Identify the types of gun powder
Describe the different guidelines for estimating Target distances
Demonstrate the different test gun powder nitrates
III. PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES:
Before you proceed to the main lesson, complete the summary entitled:
How to do Paraffin Test in this activity.
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Paraffin Test and Gun Powder Residue – WEEK 4
This image was taken in the video entitled: How to do a Paraffin Test. Paraffin Test is a method of
finding gunshot residue (GSR) on the hands of a possible shooting suspect. In a certain group of
criminology student inside the laboratory the teacher as tester will dip the student act as suspect hands of a
possible shooting suspect in a sort of melted wax. When the wax had time to cool, the student acting as
suspect is left with white wax gloves. The wax is the seeded off the hands and examined for flecks of
evidence that he / has shot a fine arm recently. The accurate result to solve a certain crime was to use this
test so that you will determine if an individual has recently discharge of a firearm when someone flies a
firearm especially a handgun, minute particles of gunpowder adhere to the skin or the hand and arm.
LESSON PROPER
What is Paraffin Test (DERMAL NITRATE OR DIPHENYLAMINE TEST OR LUNGE TEST OR
GONZALO TEST)
A paraffin test is a method used for detecting gunshot residue. This test determines whether or
not a person has fired a gun and is an important means by which to provide conclusive evidence in a
clinical trial. It is also called lunges test, diphenylamine test, dermal Nitrate test, and the Gonzales test,
named after the scientist who improved the test.
The paraffin test, originating from Cuba, was employed by Dr. Gonzalo Iturrios when he used paraffin
to collect and examine gunpowder residues from discharged firearms.
The ideal time allotment for performing a paraffin cast is 72 hours (3 days) from the time
of the alleged shooting incident.
In 1933, Teodoro Gonzales of criminal identification laboratory, Mexico City introduced the test in the
United States. In this test, the hands were coated with a layer of melted paraffin.
Other substances similar to nitrate – known as oxidizers- will also react with the reagent in the same
way, thus giving a false positive result, these substances include the following: cigarette, fertilizer,
tobacco, explosives, certain cosmetics, urine, and food samples
TYPES OF GUNPOWDER
1. BLACK POWDER- a mixture of carbon or charcoal (15%), sulfur (10%) and potassium nitrate (75%)
2. SMOKELESS POWDER- is either single base (composed of nitrocellulose) or double based
(composed of nitro cellulose, and nitroglycerine and other stabilizers).
TYPES OF TESTS GUN POWDER NITRATES
1. GUNSHOT RANGE (GSR) TEST - When a gun is discharged, gunpowder residue may also be
deposited on the clothing of the victim.
2. NEUTRON ANALYSIS ACTIVATION - This refers to the use of access to the nuclear reactor and
facilitates to determine radiation.
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Paraffin Test and Gun Powder Residue – WEEK 4
3. GUNPOWDER RESIDUE TEST (GPR) TEST - Diphenylamine reagent is applied to cotton swabbing
of the barrel and chamber of the gun to determine if firearms were fired.
4. PARAFFIN- DIPHENYLAMINE TEST (Dermal nitrate test) - Diphenylamine test (dermal nitrate test)-
taking a paraffin cast on the hands of the alleged gunpowder should be taken within 72 hours from the
alleged time of firing.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE RESULT OF A PARAFFIN EXAMINATION
1. Length of the barrel
2. Type of caliber of ammunition
3. Wind velocity and direction
4. Age of gun /efficiency of mechanism
5. Humility / percent moisture in air
6. Use of gloves
7. Direction of firing
8. Passage of 72 hours
GUIDELINES FOR ESTIMATING TARGET DISTANCES 9GUNSHOT RANGE)
1. When contact is less than 0-2 inches from the target: (Scorching, Burning and Singeing)
Heavy concentrations of smoke- like vaporous usually surrounds the entrance hole of the bullet
Scorch marks in the loose fiber surrounding the bullet entry hole.
Presence of stellate tear pattern around the hole due to the blue back of muzzles gases.
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Paraffin Test and Gun Powder Residue – WEEK 4
2. When contact is 2 to 8 inches (SMUDGING) or less from the target, there is a hole of vaporous
lead (smoke) deposits around the bullet hole.
3. When contact is 8 - 36 inches (TATTOOING) there are scattered specks of unburned and partially
powder grains without any accompanying soot. There are scattered gunpowder particles with ball
powder ammunition.
4. When contact is more than 3 feet (0r beyond 36 inches) from the target:
Typically, no deposit of any powder residues unto the target.
A bullet wipe or a dark ring around the perimeter of the bullet hole, this is the only visual
indication to characterize the hole made by a bullet.
In comparison, if the gun is discharge when held close to the body of the victim, it produces two
types of discoloration:
1. TATTOOING (8 – 36 inches)
Occurs when the gun is held at about 36 inches away from the target.
Presence of a black coarsely peppered pattern due to the partially burned and unburned
particles of the gunpowder.
The size of the powder tattooing depends on the powder charge, caliber, and the distance
firing.
2. SMUDGING (2 – 8 inches)
Occurs when the gun is held about 2 inches to a maximum of 8 inches away from the target.
A dirty grimy appearance deposited around the entrance hole due to the soot from the burned
powder.
The size of smudge depends on the caliber of the gun, type of powder used, length of the
barrel of the gun, and the distance of the muzzle of the gun was held from the body.
The size of the smudge depends upon the following:
Length of the barrel.
Age of the gun/efficiency of mechanism
Direction of firing
Wind direction and velocity
Humidity/percentage moisture in air
Methods used to determine the probable time the firearm has been discharged:
1. Lucas Test - a characteristics smell that decreases in intensity with lapse of time is
present immediately after firing but even after several weeks some slight smell remains.
2. Odor (Hydrogen Sulfide) - this is another product resulting from combustion of
gunpowder which is present in the gaseous state.(sulfide)
3. Odor of the Barrel (rusting) – as a rule, no rust can be detected inside the barrel of
a firearm if such firearm has not been discharged.
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Paraffin Test and Gun Powder Residue – WEEK 4
4. Presence of Nitrates (by cotton swabbing method)- nitrates diminish after a lapse
of time. Nitrates can be detected by swabbing a portion of residue in a barrel and mixing
the residue with Diphenylamine solution (DPA)
5. Dermal Nitrate test - the test is designed to determine the presence of gunpowder
nitrates on the hands of the alleged shooter.
Scorching or Singeing- If a firearm was discharged very close to the target as in a
case of alleged suicide and sometimes in murder, burns or scorches may result.
The following are the sophisticated instruments used to determine the gunshot
range residue (GSR ):
1. AAS- Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
2. NAA- Neutron Activation Analysis
3. SEM-EDX- Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis
4. ICP- MS- Inductively Coaled Plasma with Mass Spectrophotometry
GUNSHOT RESIDUE (GSR) - is mainly composed of burned and unburned particles from the
propellant, the explosive primer, the components from the bullet, as well as the cartridge case and the
firearm used.
Gunshot Range (GSR) determination also known as gunshot distance
determination.
Distance determination- the method of determining the distance between the firearm
and the target.
Paraffin Wax- is a white, translucent, tasteless , odorless, solid consisting of a
mixture of solid hydrocarbons of high molecular weight.
END OF TOPIC
