Globally, firearms are recurrently the lethal means in forensic casework ranging from homicide to suicide, and accidental injuries, indicating an importance in law enforcement and national security. The understanding of key odorants above a firearm will have an impact on national security efforts, thereby enhancing training regimens to better prepare canine teams for current threats in our communities.

These results highlight potential odor signature differences associated with different firearm components. Statistical analysis via principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted a preliminary clustering differentiating unloaded firearms from both loaded/unloaded magazines and loaded firearm devices. Headspace analysis depicted five frequently occurring compounds across sample matrices including aldehydes such as nonanal, decanal, octanal and hydrocarbons tetradecane and tridecane. Samples included magazines ( n = 30) and firearms ( n = 15) acquired from the local law enforcement shooting range. This study provides a novel method application of solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) as a rapid system for the evaluation of odor profiles from firearm devices (loaded and unloaded). Currently, there is no scientific foundation as to the chemical odor signature emitted from the actual firearm device that could aid in increased and more efficient canine training and performance protocols or a better understanding of the chemistry of firearm-related odorants for better source identification. Firearm detection canines go through rigorous training regimens to achieve reliability in the detection of firearms as their target odor source. Prevention tactics such as firearm detection canines have been at the front line of security tools to combat this national security threat. The early detection and location of firearm threats is critical to the success of any law enforcement operation to prevent a mass shooting event or illegal transport of weapons.

2Ford K9 LLC, Las Vegas, NV, United States.

1Forensic Analytical Chemistry and Odor Profiling Laboratory, Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States.

Kirsten Nettles 1, Cameron Ford 2 and Paola A.

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