Persistence of biological traces at inside parts of a firearm from a case of multiple familial homicide

Courts, Cornelius; Gahr, Britta; Madea, Burkhard; Schyma, Christian (2014). Persistence of biological traces at inside parts of a firearm from a case of multiple familial homicide. Journal of forensic sciences, 59(4), pp. 1129-1132. Wiley 10.1111/1556-4029.12434

Text jfo12434-1.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (183kB)

Backspatter from wounds caused by contact shots against a biological target had before been shown to be propelled into firearms' barrels where they can persist and be retrieved from as relevant forensic evidence. Herein, that insight was applied to the investigation of a case of multiple familial homicide with a firearm. Samples of backspatter were collected from the firearm using DNA-free swabs. DNA was extracted from the swabs, and 16 STR systems were PCR-amplified to generate DNA profiles of all victims shot by the firearm. The quality of the resulting DNA profiles was sufficient to exclude the perpetrator as donor and to differentiate the three closely related victims thereby proving that all three victims had been shot by the same firearm from very close or contact distance. A key insight gained from this case was that not only a firearms' barrel inside but other inner surfaces may be charged with profilable DNA.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

2 since deposited on 30 Jan 2015
0 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item