Research article

Chemical analysis of gunshot residues (GSR): historical evolution, forensic relevance, technological advances, and contemporary challenges

  • Published: 02 December 2025
  • This paper addresses the main methods of chemical analysis of gunshot residues (GSRs), highlighting both their social and forensic relevance. Forensic authorities have determined that crimes involving firearms, including homicides and suicides, constitute a significant portion of the cases examined. In these cases, GSR plays a central role in the reconstruction of crimes. Classical instrumental techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) remain widely used; however, recent advances have introduced innovative approaches including electrochemical sensors, portable devices, and luminescent metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). The objective of these novel methodologies is to enhance sensitivity, selectivity, and accessibility in forensic analysis. The objective of this article is to provide a critical overview of the historical development, current practices, and recent technological innovations in GSR detection. The text places particular emphasis on the challenges posed by heavy-metal-free “green” ammunition and highlights perspectives where electrochemistry, chemical markers, and artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance the robustness of forensic investigations. The primary findings indicate that the amalgamation of nanomaterials, portable platforms, and chemometric instruments possesses the capacity to transform the domain of GSR analysis, thereby enhancing the reliability of forensic evidence and fortifying its application within the justice system.

    Citation: Larissa Silva de Azevedo, Alex Soares Castro, Daniela Vieira Buchaim, Rogerio Leone Buchaim, Marcelo Firmino de Oliveira, João Paulo Mardegan Issa. Chemical analysis of gunshot residues (GSR): historical evolution, forensic relevance, technological advances, and contemporary challenges[J]. AIMS Bioengineering, 2025, 12(4): 593-612. doi: 10.3934/bioeng.2025027

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  • This paper addresses the main methods of chemical analysis of gunshot residues (GSRs), highlighting both their social and forensic relevance. Forensic authorities have determined that crimes involving firearms, including homicides and suicides, constitute a significant portion of the cases examined. In these cases, GSR plays a central role in the reconstruction of crimes. Classical instrumental techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) remain widely used; however, recent advances have introduced innovative approaches including electrochemical sensors, portable devices, and luminescent metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). The objective of these novel methodologies is to enhance sensitivity, selectivity, and accessibility in forensic analysis. The objective of this article is to provide a critical overview of the historical development, current practices, and recent technological innovations in GSR detection. The text places particular emphasis on the challenges posed by heavy-metal-free “green” ammunition and highlights perspectives where electrochemistry, chemical markers, and artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance the robustness of forensic investigations. The primary findings indicate that the amalgamation of nanomaterials, portable platforms, and chemometric instruments possesses the capacity to transform the domain of GSR analysis, thereby enhancing the reliability of forensic evidence and fortifying its application within the justice system.



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    Acknowledgments



    This work was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq (Grant No. 302742/2022-0), the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – CAPES (Grant No. 88887.613955/2021-00 and PROCAD No. 16/2020), and the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo – FAPESP (Grant No. 2022/12189-0). The authors also thank Linguistics and Translation Studies Group (GruLT), that revised and edited this full text.

    Conflict of interest



    The authors declare no conflict of interest.

    Author contributions



    Larissa Silva de Azevedo, Marcelo Firmino de Oliveira, and João Paulo Mardegan Issa were accountable for the conceptualization and design of the study. Larissa Silva de Azevedo and Alex Soares Castro formulated the approach, whilst Larissa Silva de Azevedo, Alex Soares Castro, Daniela Vieira Buchain, and Regerio Leone Buchain executed the research. Data curation and formal analysis were performed by Larissa Silva de Azevedo and Alex Soares Castro. The manuscript's original version was authored by Larissa Silva de Azevedo, with critical opinion and editing conducted by Larissa Silva de Azevedo, Marcelo Firmino de Oliveira, and João Paulo Mardegan Issa. Funding acquisition was spearheaded by Marcelo Firmino de Oliveira and João Paulo Mardegan Issa, who also oversaw the project comprehensively. All authors reviewed and endorsed the final version of the text.

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