ABSTRACT
Forensic science may be defined as the application of various scientific disciplines to aid the criminal justice system. Gunshot residue (GSR) evidence is an area of forensic science that is often underestimated and underappreciated by the forensic community. It is certainly one of the most underutilized types of physical evidence. The staggering increase in firearms-related offenses in the U.S. has intensified the importance of rapid and accurate GSR analysis. In a recent report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) cites firearms as the weapons of choice in over 30% of 1.7 million incidents of violent crime.
