Can anyone tell me about the so-called nitrate test which was used to tell if someone had fired a weapon?

Question

i dont know if there are now better tests but what i am interested in finding out is if someone has had a wash after discharging a weapon is the test still viable?

Answer 1

Not very long ago the tests for residues for anything were not very sensitive and a good wash would wash enough away to fool the test.  The tests are thousands if not millions of tines more sensitive now, so it is now. much harder to fool them.

Answer 2

its called a GSR test, it may sometimes still be viable even after washing your hands in water, there are some things that can be done to make it non viable, however I'm not going to say just incase your up to something lol. GSR tests typically test for the unburnt gunpowder discharged from a firearm. The can usually be effective on skin up to and including 72 hours after firing a gun. Sometimes using NMR or MS it is possible to determine the manufacturer of the bullet. It usually depends on metal concentrations.

Answer 3

Discharging a firearm blows nitrate residue all over, and some is likely to wind up on one's hands and clothing.  But cleaning up will get rid of it; nitrates are quite soluble.