Application of Proton Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) Technique to Gunshot Residue Analyses and Other Crime Related Problems

The PIXE technique has been successfully applied to gunshot residue analyses and other crime related problems. The experimental arrangements and practical problems involved are discussed. Reproducibility and consistency checks are presented. The results demonstrate the sensitivity of the PIXE technique, its non-destructive nature, its role in determining the distance from the gun to the victim, the identification of the type of bullet used, whether a wound is made by a bullet or not and its usefulness in identification and evaluation of vital parameters related to a crime.