Academic Journal
Background levels of inorganic gunshot residue like particles on the hands of motorcycle mechanics in Pakistan: Implications for forensic interpretation.
| Τίτλος: | Background levels of inorganic gunshot residue like particles on the hands of motorcycle mechanics in Pakistan: Implications for forensic interpretation. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Feras KS; Department of Chemistry, Division of Science & Technology, University of Education Lahore, Pakistan., Yaseen M; Department of Chemistry, Division of Science & Technology, University of Education Lahore, Pakistan. Electronic address: m.yaseen@ue.edu.pk., Mahmood MH; Department of Chemistry, Division of Science & Technology, University of Education Lahore, Pakistan. |
| Πηγή: | Forensic science international [Forensic Sci Int] 2026 Oct; Vol. 387, pp. 113055. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jun 24. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Elsevier Science Ireland Country of Publication: Ireland NLM ID: 7902034 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1872-6283 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03790738 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Forensic Sci Int Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Limerick : Elsevier Science Ireland Original Publication: Lausanne, Elsevier Sequoia. |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Metals*/analysis , Motorcycles* , Hand* , Occupational Exposure*, Lead/analysis ; Humans ; Pakistan ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission ; Firearms |
| Περίληψη: | In forensic gunshot residue (GSR) analysis, occupational exposure to environmentally derived particles can mimic inorganic GSR (IGSR), increasing the risk of false positive interpretations in firearm related investigations. While global studies have identified brake dust and workshop materials as sources of IGSR like particles, no systematic background profiling has been conducted in Pakistan, where motorcycle mechanics represent a high exposure group amid prevalent motorcycle associated street crimes. This study provides the first localized examination of hand contamination in this population, using standardized sampling and SEM/EDS analysis with direct comparison to authentic GSR from regionally common ammunitions. The primary objective was to characterize background levels of IGSR like particles on motorcycle mechanics in Lahore Division and evaluate their potential to confound forensic GSR evidence. No characteristic GSR lead bearing particles (Pb/Sb/Ba) or lead-free particles such as Gd/Ti/Zn and Ga/Cu/Sn were detected in any of the 100 motorcycle mechanic samples sets. Consistent and commonly associated particles were present in all samples, dominated by Ba/Ca/Si and Ba/Al combinations in low to moderate counts (4-127) and (3-163) particles per sample stub respectively, with dominantly irregular morphology contrasted with the high-temperature morphology typically associated with authentic GSR, including rounded edges, spheroidal or spherical forms, and/or degassing holes, despite comparable size ranges. These results demonstrate that motorcycle mechanics routinely carry GSR like particles mostly from both the lead bearing and lead free consistent GSR category. from occupational sources but lack the definitive markers of firearm discharge. The findings emphasize the necessity of incorporating occupational context and morphological assessment in GSR interpretation, supporting the development of regional background databases to improve evidentiary reliability and reduce misinterpretation risks in forensic casework. (Copyright © 2026 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that this research received no external funding. The authors declare no other competing interests. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Background profiling; GSR; GSR-similar environmental particles; Motorcycle mechanics; Occupational contamination; Prevalence; SEM-EDS |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 2P299V784P (Lead) 0 (Metals) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260625 Date Completed: 20260807 Latest Revision: 20260807 |
| Update Code: | 20260808 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.113055 |
| PMID: | 42349024 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
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