Sage-Tips

Is paraffin test acceptable in court?

A paraffin test could establish the presence or absence of nitrates on the hand. However, it cannot establish that the source of the nitrate was the discharge of firearms. Hence, a paraffin test cannot be considered as conclusive proof of appellant’s innocence.

What is the main point of having a paraffin test?

A forensic test to indicate whether a person has recently fired a gun, in which the person’s hand is coated in hot paraffin wax which cools and sets and is peeled off and tested for the presence of residue from the gun.

Can you wash off GSR?

Washing the hands is likely to remove all GSR. o Do not routinely sample victims of gunshot wounds. The presence of GSR indicates that a person has been in an environment containing GSR.

What are the criteria to be considered with respect to a positive gunpowder nitrate finding?

A positive reaction indicating the presence of gunpowder residues is indicated by the appearance of dark blue pin-point specks on the inner surface of the cast. Sometimes these specks may not appear until twenty minutes after the application of the reagent.

Why it is important to determine gunpowder residue over the skin of the victim?

The presence of gunshot residue on the hands of an individual indicates that the person recently discharged a firearm, handled a firearm or an object with gunshot residue on its surface, or was in close proximity to a firearm when it was discharged.

What are the other terms names for the paraffin test?

The first method for determining whether or not someone had fired a gun by GSR was the paraffin test, also known as the dermal nitrate or diphenylamine test.

What is the test employed in the detection of gunpowder residues in the hand *?

One chemical procedure to detect the presence of gunpowder resi- dues on the hands of a person suspected of firing a gun recently has been variously described as the “Dermal Nitrate,” “Dermo Nitrate,” “Diphenylamine,” 9 “Paraffin,” 10 “Paraffin Gauntlet or G 1 o v e,”” or “Gonzales”‘ 2 test, which is rather simple to …

Does bleach remove gunpowder?

Most commercially available hand cleaners will get a lot of it off, but a thorough scrubbing with a good soap (or dishwashing detergent) will remove it. Bleach will certainly do the trick, but it will leave you with smelly hands.

How long can gunpowder stay on your hands?

Gunshot residue is the consistency of flour and typically only stays on the hands of a living person for 4–6 hours. Wiping the hands on anything, even putting them in and out of pockets can transfer gunshot residue off the hands.

Why is paraffin test not reliable?

proved extremely unreliable in use. The only thing that it can deliberately establish is the presence or absence of nitrates or nitrites on the hand. It cannot be established from this test alone that the source of the nitrates or nitrites was the discharge of a firearm.

How is the paraffin test done?

Paraffin Test. The test is conducted by applying melted paraffin wax to the back of a suspect’s hands. With a brush, the back of the hand is coated with paraffin wax which on cooling solidifies and can be peeled off the hand. The surface of the cast that has been in contact with the skin is treated with diphenyl-amine/sulfuric acid reagent by…

Does subjection to paraffin test require the right to competent counsel?

Gamboa (G.R. No. 91374), the Supreme Court held that subjection to paraffin test does not require that the right to have competent and independent counsel be afforded as this is necessary only in testimonial compulsions, not when it is the body of the accused which is proposed to be examined. Another example would be People v.

Can police officers legally use statements during interrogation?

The US Supreme Court held that no statements stemming from questioning initiated by law enforcement officers may be used by the prosecution, unless it demonstrates the use of procedural safeguards effective to secure the constitutional rights of a person under custodial interrogation.