Barium Contamination in Gunshot Residue Collection Kits

The determination of barium and antimony from primer powder that is deposited on hands and clothing during the handling or firing of a gun gives valuable information to a forensic scientist. In the course of developing a flameless atomic absorption method for this determination, relatively high barium backgrounds were found in some collection kit materials. In addition, measurable barium was present in many new tantalum strips employed in the atomizer system. Accordingly, the intent of this note is to acquaint those using collection kits and tantalum strips with our findings.