Practical shooting exercise: Students learn to analyze gunshot traces!

Practical shooting exercise: Students learn to analyze gunshot traces!

On March 10, 2025, Professor Thomas Fischer conducted an insightful practical shooting exercise for students of the Master's in Forensic Sciences and Engineering at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. The aim of this exercise was to demonstrate to the future experts how smoke trails are created and what factors influence their spread.

The students wore safety glasses and hearing protection while they fired blank weapons, both revolvers and pistols, at paper targets from various distances. The distances of 5, 10, 15, 30 to 45 cm made it clear how different distances influence the amount and distribution of smoke traces.

Traces of smoke and their analysis

After shooting, participants took samples from the shooters' hands and the barrel of the weapons to examine the resulting gunshot traces. In the laboratory, these samples were plated with gold in preparation for analysis with a scanning electron microscope.

The scanning electron microscope shot electron beams at the coated samples, providing detailed image information. Darker areas in the microscope image indicate lower densities of the substances shown. The composition of the smoke traces consists of lead, barium and antimony, which are released when the weapon is fired.

The analysis of smoke traces plays an essential role in forensic science, as well bka.de emphasized. Each shot releases microscopic particles that settle in the surrounding area. These smoke particles allow conclusions to be drawn about possible suspects and thus make a decisive contribution to solving firearms crimes.

Modern techniques for smoke particle analysis

Smoke particles are examined under special conditions to avoid cross-contamination. Automatic particle search systems are used that can distinguish smoke particles from environmental particles. Results of these automatic searches are also checked by experts.

The shot distance is determined by analyzing the smoke distribution on objects being shot at and provides valuable information about the direction and distance of the shot. Chemographic staining visually highlights typical element distributions such as lead and copper. The Forensic Engineering Institute uses the most modern technologies, such as an adapted X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (m-XRF), for the non-destructive measurement of large evidence.

These methods are not only important in Germany. An international exchange of patented reference materials and synthetic smoke preparations was initiated to improve the quality of smoke trace examinations worldwide.

In addition, the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg offers a two-semester fire investigation certificate course that ends with a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS). This program is aimed at police fire investigators, fire experts and master's graduates.

Practical training and continuous research in forensic science are crucial for progress and prevention in the field of forensics.

The detailed knowledge and procedures obtained during the shooting exercise are not only of great importance for the students, but also for forensic investigation and the further development of investigative methods in Germany and worldwide.