HAND-OUT ON GUNPOWDER AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES

In the investigation of crimes involving the use of firearms, three (3) most important problems may arise:
1. The problem of determining whether or not a person has fired a gun with bare hands within a pertinent
period of time.
2. The means of determining the probable gunshot range i.e. the distance the firearm held from the body of the
victim at the time of discharged.
3. The time of the firing of the gun becomes an issue.

Two Kinds of Gunpowder

1. Black powder. The use of this was abandoned by modern ammunition plants because of its inherent
defects.

Blackpowder. Possibly the oldest known explosive. It consist of an intimate =1mixture of charcoal =15%,
sulphur =10%, and potassium or sodium nitrate =75%. When exploded in open space the
following reaction occurs:

2KNO3 + 3C + 3S 3CO2 + K2S + N2

This reaction holds true if the composition of the powder is uniform, pure, and no other side reactions take
place. Slight difference in composition cannot be avoided as well as side reactions cannot be controlled.

2. Smokeless powder. The most widely used propellant. It can either be a single base or double bas propellant.
It consist of cellulose nitrate or glyceryl nitrate combined with cellulose nitrate and some stabilizers. Among the
stabilizers used are nitrates, bichromates, and oxalates. Some of the stabilizers are nitrobenzene, graphite, and
Vaseline. Stabilizers are added to reduce side reactions. These combine with the products of decomposition and
may have a negative or positive catalytic effect. When exploded the following reactions occur:
 C12H11O4(NO3)6 9CO + 3N2 + 7H2O + 3CO2
(Cellulose nitrate)

4C3H3(NO3)3 12CO2 + 10H2O + 6N2 + O2

(Glyceryl nitrate)

Possible Locations of Nitrates When Blackpowder and Smokeless Powder Explode

It will be noticed that nitrates are present in both gunpowder so that one will expect to find nitrates (NO4)
in the following:
1. Residue of the barrel of the gun.
2. In or around the wound.
3. On the clothing of the person fired upon at close range.
4. On the exposed surface of the hand of the person firing the gun.

Factors that Affect the Presence and Amount of Gunpowder Residues

1. Type and caliber of the ammunition. Different types of ammunition fired in the same weapon and
from the same distance may give different pattern.
2. Length of the barrel. A weapon with 2 inches barrel will deposit residues over a larger area than a
weapon having 5 inches barrel even though they are fired at the same distance and with the same type of
ammunition.
3 Distance of the muzzle of the gun from the target.
4. Humidity. Affects the speed with which powder burns. Powder having lesser amount of moisture will
burn more rapidly and completely within a given time yielding greater amount of residue.
5. Wind Velocity and Direction. In higher winds the residue will be blown in the directions of the wind
yielding a scattered pattern.
6. Direction of Firing. Firing vertically slightly greater than firing horizontally from the same distance.
Powder residue have weight. When gun is fired downward or vertically, all the residue will fall on the target,
but when fired horizontally some of the residues are likely to fall short of the target.

Determination of Whether or Not a Person Fired a Gun with His Bared Hands
The burned residues are partially burned particles may escape around the much of a gun and implanted
on the exposed surface of the hand firing the gun or the presence of this particles serves as a basis for the
diphenylamine-paraffin test (DPA-Paraffin Test).
Theory upon Which the Diphenylamine Paraffin Test is Based
At the instance of discharge there is a certain amount of gases and mixture of burned residues and
partially burned particles that escape from the breech of the gun. These particles strike the exposed surface of
the hand holding the weapon and became implanted into the skin.

1. The test is not specific for nitrates since the role of nitrate is simply an oxidizing agent. The test cannot
determine the source of nitrate.
2. There are other substances which contain nitrate oxidizing agents that are not in the ordinary course of
like fertilizers, explosives, tobacco urine cosmetics, firecrackers, and detergents. Diphenylamine Paraffin Test
or Dermal Nitrate Test or Lunge

Diphenylamine Test. A test to determine whether a person fired a gun or not with bare hands.

Procedure:
1. Paraffin Test. The taking of the cast to extract nitrates embedded or implanted in the skin.
2. Diphenylamine Test. The chemical aspect of the test. It determines the presence and distribution of
nitrates

Reagent. Diphenylamine reagent (0.5gram diphenylamine crystals dissolved in 100 ml of sulfuric acid and 20
ml of water).

Visible Result. Deep blue specks that develop when nitrates come in contact with the diphenylamine reagent.

Limitation of Diphenylamine-Paraffin Test

1. The test is not specific for nitrates since the role of nitrate is simply an oxidizing agent. The test cannot
determine the source of nitrate.
2. There are other substances which contain nitrate oxidizing agents that are not in the ordinary course of
life like fertilizers, explosives, tobacco, firecrackers, urine, cosmetics, and detergents.
3. In general persons do not have nitrates or other oxidants on their hands as a matter of common
occurrence.
4. Hands contaminated with nitrates from other sources other than gunpowder or any oxidant one will
expect to find either a smear blue color or conglomeration of blue specks located at the different places of the
hand both dorsal and palmar aspects.

Possibilities that a Person May Be Found Positive for Nitrates Even He Did Not Actually Fire a Gun
1. It is possible that the gunpowder particles may have been blown on the hand directly from the barrel of
the gun being fired by another person.
2. An attempt to shield the body by raising the hand would in some instances result in the implanting of
powder particles on the hand of a person close to one firing a gun.

Possibilities that a Person May Be Found Negative for Nitrates Even If He Actually Fired a Gun

1. Use of automatic pistol 4. Excessive precipitation

 2. Direction of the wind. 5. Use of gloves
3. Wind velocity 6. Knowledge of chemicals that will remove the nitrates

The leakage of the powder is apt to occur when the gun fired is old weapon where the mechanism is no
longer tightly tilted and when the gun used is of the revolver type.

In cases involving shooting incidents where paraffin tests is required, the person suspected to have fired a
gun should be subjected to diphenylamine-paraffin test immediately and in no case should it be postponed
seventy-two (72) hours after waxing. It is possible to detect nitrates as late as three (3) days even though the
hands have been washed. In the Philippines, it is reduced to two (2) days due to massive perspiration.

Determination of the Probable Gunshot Range or Distance the Firearm was Held from the Body of the
Victim at the Time of Discharged

The clothing of the victim with bullet perforation should be submitted for possible gunshot range.

How to Collect, Preserve, and Pack Clothing

Clothing removed from the victim should be carefully and cautiously handled to prevent powder residues
for becoming dislodged.
1. A large area as possible surrounding the gunshot hole should be made available for the test. If the
condition and appearance of the wound point to a contact shot at, all of the clothing in the path of the bullet
should be collected and submitted for examination.
2. Do not wad the specimen or pack it loosely for shipment. Secure the area to be tested between two
layers of heavy cardboard fastened together tightly to prevent the specimen from becoming jostled about in
transit.
3. Each specimen should be wrapped separately.
4. Clothing heavily smeared with blood should be dried thoroughly before packing. If wet, they may
become mildew or stick together in such a way that they will be unsuitable for the test.
The letter of transmittal should contain all the information as to existing circumstances and conditions
known to the investigator which may become helpful in making the test.

How to Determine the Probable Gunshot Range

The clothing is examined microscopically for possible powder residue, singeing, burning, smudging, and
powder tattooing.
Singeing – Slight burning.
Smudging – Blackening of area around the bullet hole.
Tattooing – Individual specks of nitrates around the bullet hole visible to the naked eye.
It is a black coarsely peppered pattern.

Three (3) Zones of Distances from which a Firearm was Discharge

1. Those in which the muzzle of the gun was held directly in contact with the body or practically so.
2. Those in which the muzzle of the gun was held 2 inches to 36 inches away.
3. Those in which the muzzle of the gun was held beyond 36 inches.

Held Directly in Contact: The characteristic patterns observed are as follows:

1. Gaping hole where fabric is badly torn;
2. Smudging;
3. Singeing of the fibers at the entrance; and
4. Tattooing.

Presence of partially burned powdered residues around the entrance hole that may be embedded in the
fabric. This could be present originally but may have become dislodged by rough handling of the specimen or
may have been blown into the wound or may have been washed by bleeding.

Held from 2 inches to 8 inches (Maximum)

The smoke and soot from the burned powder will be deposited around the hole of entrance producing a
dirty grimmy appearance (covered with soot, dirt adhering or embedded on the surface). More pronounced
when the ammunition used contains blackpowder. Smudging around the perforation will be found to diminish
in size as the muzzle of the gun is held a distance of eight (8) inches and all the blackening around the hole
completely disappear and few individual specks of tattooing will be visible with the naked eye. The size of the
smudge depends upon the caliber of the gun, type of powder used, length of the barrel, distance of the muzzle
of the gun was held from the body. The size of the area of the powder tattooing will also depend on the caliber,
powder charge and distance of firing. A close observation of the area surrounding the gunshot hole will show
that greater bulk of them is deposited in one side of the hole. This is due to the fact that when cartridge is fired,
the bullet leaves the muzzle of the gun first, followed by the ascending gases and the burning powder. This
cause the gun to kick, throwing the muzzle off the target and this kick is always towards the direction of the
sights. The kick of the gun causes the smudge and powder tattooing to be deposited more on one side of the
hole than on the other, and the side of the greatest deposit indicates the side on which the sights of the gun was
mounted. This observation is helpful in determining whether the wound was due to suicide or murder. If the
gun was discharged from a position in which the victim could not easily have held himself, it intends to indicate
murder. The size of the area of powder tattooing will also depend on the caliber, powder charge and the
distance of firing.
Held from 8 inches to 36 inches
Tattooing is visible. The partially burned and unburned powder particles will be driven into the surface
around the gunshot hole producing a black coarsely peppered pattern called tattooing.

Held beyond 36 inches

Evidence of powder tattooing is seldom present.

Rifling characteristics on fired bullets Gunshot residue patterns

Chemical Test for Gunpowder Residue

There are two (2) methods of determining the presence of gunpowder residues around the gunshot hole:
1. A method pattern after diphenylamine-paraffin test.
Procedure: Coat a piece of clean gauze with a sufficient amount of paraffin to produce a layer of
about 1/8 inch. Press the layer of paraffin while still warm against the area to be
examined.
2. Walker’s Test. It used if the powder particles are deeply embedded. It is based on the conversion of
nitrates to a dye.
Procedure:
2.1 Immerse the photographic paper in a new hypo solution for 15 minutes so that all the silver
salts are dissolved.
2.2 The paper is washed in running water for one (1) hour.
2.3 The desensitized paper is immersed in 5 to 10% aqueous solution of C-acid (2-napthylamine-
4, 8-disculfonic acid) for ten (10) minutes then dry.
2.4 Lay a clean towel on the table and the prepared C-paper is laid face up on this.
2.5 The fabric to be examined is then laid face-down on the photographic paper.
2.6. Place a thin dry towel of cotton cloth moistened with 20 to 25% acetic acid.
2.7 Place another layer of dry towel.
2.8 Press the laminated arrangement with warm electric iron for ten (10) minutes.
Results: A number of orange-red spots are imprinted on the photographic paper.

Gunshot Range of Weapons Other Than Pistol and Revolver

 Rifle. A weapon on high velocity projectile. Gunshot range is difficult to estimate due to high velocity of
the projectile and the wide variation produced in the wound of entrance. The tissue through which the bullet
passed are usually bruised in varying degree. As a general rule the size of the wound closely approximates the
size of the bullet.

Shotgun or Sporting gun. The projectile is a collection of small shot consisting of lead pellets that vary
in size with types of cartridge.
1. The pellet disperse soon after their exit from the barrel and the dispersion increases with the range.
2. The shot discharged from the average cylinder sporting gun will cluster together and not separate to
any appreciable extent until the cluster has travelled approximately three (3) to four (4) feet from
the muzzle of weapon.
3. If a shot is fired closed to the body up to a few inches the shot enters as a mass and liberated gas
and flame lacerate the tissue around the hole and show evidence of burning, carbon deposit and
powder tattooing.
4. When fired from three (3) feet from the body a more or less irregular circular wound about one and a
half (1.5) inches to two (2) inches in diameter will be produced. There will be scorching, carbon
deposit and powder tattooing.
5. At a range over a yard and up to about three (3) yards evidence of burning disappears and
probably only faint tattooing will be found.
6. Beyond a yard the entering shot produces an irregular wound and as a result of commencing
dispersion of the shots individual pellet holes may be detected.

Determination of the Probable Time the Gun has been Fired

In the determination of the approximate time of last discharge the specimen firearm is needed in the
examination.
At the Crime Laboratory, if the gun is examined immediately after the shooting the chemistry rely more
on the odor of the barrel. A characteristic smell will be presented that decreases in intensity with lapse of time,
as smell of hydrogen sulfide. If the gun is examined later presence of nitrates, nitrites, rust soot, and metallic
fragments are determined.

Procedure:
The barrel is swabbed with cotton with the aid of a barbecue stick and the presence of the following is
determined microscopically and chemically.
Soot. A black substance that is formed by combustion, rises in fine particles and adheres to the side of
the barrel conveying the smoke.
Metallic Fragment. Rust formation inside the barrel after the gun has been fired is a good indication for
the determination of the approximate time the gun has been fired.
-If a gun has not been fired at all, no rust can be detected inside the barrel of the gun.
-If a gun has been fired, iron salts are formed and are found inside the barrel. This iron salts are soon
oxidized resulting in the formation of rust.
Nitrite (NO2). Its presence is determined by the addition of diphenylamine reagent. If the color becomes
blue, nitrites are present and we may say that the firearm could have been fired recently.
Nitrates (NO3). Its presence is determined by the addition of diphenylamine reagent. If the color
becomes yellow green, nitrates are present and we may say that the firearm could have been fired but not
recently.
What is explosive?

Explosives
The Crime Laboratory does not only examine explosives confiscated from some lawless elements of
society that they utilize for criminal purposes, but also explosives used in illegal fishing.

Explosive. Is any substance that may cause an explosion by its sudden decomposition or combustion.
A material either a pure single substance or mixture of substances which is capable of producing an explosion
by its own energy. When exploded always accompanied with the liberation of heat and almost with the
formation of gas.

Classification of Explosives
1. From the viewpoint of chemical composition.
2. With respect to the functioning characteristics

Classification of Explosives from the Viewpoint of Chemical Composition

1. Inorganic Compound
Examples: Lead azide Pb(N3)2 ; Ammonium nitrate NH4NO3
2. Organic Compound
Examples: Trininitrotoluene (TNT); picric acid (Trinitrophenol); Nitrocellulose;
Mercury fulminate Hg(ONC)
3. Mixture of Oxidizable Materials and Oxidizing Agents that are not Explosives Separately
Examples: Blackpowder is used today mainly as igniter for nitrocellulose gun propellants
And also in pyrotechniques.

Classification of Explosives with Respect to Functioning Characteristics

1. Propellants or Low Explosives. Are combustible materials containing within themselves all oxygen
needed for their combustion which burn but do not explode and function by producing gas which produces
explosion. Examples: blackpowder, smokeless powder, firecrackers and pyrotechniques.
2. Primary Explosives or Indicators. Explode and detonate when they are heated or subjected to shock.
They do not burn. Sometimes they do not even contain the elements necessary for combustion. The materials
themselves explode and the explosion results whether they are confined or not.
Examples: Mercury fulminate Hg(ONC); and lead azide Pb(N3)2 .
3. High Explosives. Explode under the influence of shock of the explosion of a primary explosive. They
do not function by burning, in fact not all of them can be ignited by a flame and in small amount generally
burn tranquilly and can be extinguished easily. If heated to a high temperature by external heat or by their own
combustion, they sometimes explode.
Examples:
Ammonium nitrate NH4NO3. Most readily available and cheapest salt of nitric acid. White compound u
used as solid oxidizer in explosive mixture.
Dynamite. Made by mixing nitroglycerine with powder clay or sawdust.
TNT or Trinitrotoluene. The most widely used explosive. Used mostly for military explosive. A safe
safe explosive. It will burn but does not explode if set on fire.
Nitroglycerine. Widely used industrial explosives. Has been the main components in many dynamites.
It is a mixture of nitric acid, sulfuric acid and glycerine. Oily liquid that is very dangerous
because the slightest shake will cause it to explode.
Plastic explosive. A military explosive that looks like an ordinary putty or molding clay. These are
chiefly solids or mixtures so formulated as to be solid at normal temperature of use.
 Picric acid. Also called trinitrophenol.
Other Explosives:
1. C-4. Often referred to as a plastic explosive. White and dough like in consistency. It is
commonly encountered of the RDX based explosive.
2. RDX. (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5 triazacyclophexane). Also called hexogen or cyclonite,
Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramite. A plastic explosive and most important military explosives used
today.
3. Chloroacetophenone (CN). The principal constituent in the filter used in tear gas solutions. Commonly
used tear gas.
4. Fire Bombs
4.1 Molotov cocktail. An incendiary device, not a bomb. Easily constructed of the most common
materials. Consists of frangible container like glass bottle filled with gasoline or any
inflammable mixture and having a piece of absorbent cloth for a wick or fuse. To function,
the container is turned upside down and the wick absorbs the flammable mixture, the wick
lighted and thrown. On impact the bottle breaks scattering the flammable mixture which is
ignited by the burning wick.
4.2 Modern Molotov. Consist of 2/3 and 1/3 gas and sulfuric acid respectively. A blotter which
has been saturated in potassium chlorate and sugar is wrapped and secured to the bottle. A
snowball consists of potassium chlorate and sugar mixture embedded in a wax mold using a
length of safety fuse for an ignitor.
4.3 Acids mixed with the gasoline and wicks attached to the outer bottle.
4.4 Mixture of alcohol and gasoline using a chrome oxide strip taped to the bottle which when
thrown will burn violently.
The Demolition and Fragmentation Explosives
1. Composition A: Mixture of RDX and beeswax. Semi plastic in nature.
2. Composition B: Mixture of RDX, TNT and beeswax.
3. Composition C: Sometimes referred to as plastic explosive, is RDX and inert plasticizer composition.
4. C-2: RDX and explosive plasticizer. Contains no tetryl.
5. C-3: RDX and an explosive plasticizer with tetryl substituted in part of RDX.
6. C-4: RDX and plastic explosive composition.
Prepared by:
MIGUEL RAMON M. CALIBJO
Instructor