Georgia Criminal Law Blog

Story from Baltimore Sun -

In a somewhat surprising move, the FBI has distanced itself from another test once regarded as a reliable test. They will no longer be performing gun shot residue analysis.  The change in March when it was communicated to the field offices, but has not been publicized.

Prosecutors all of the country cringing at the thought of not being able to use it in their next trial, or at least having its reliability called into question.  Although the FBI says that the move comes as a “shift in priorities” and not a lack of confidence in the science.

I am not buying it.  The potential for contamination in these tests is too great.  Evidence is usually gathered by officers, who all handle their guns every day.  Every gun, even if cleaned after use, can cause a transfer of GSR to an otherwise clean surface.  The same thing can happen in the labs.  My guess is the potential for contamination is a big reason they are scrapping the test.

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