Quantitative profile–profile relationship (QPPR) modelling: a novel machine learning approach to predict and associate chemical characteristics of unspent ammunition from gunshot residue (GSR)

Details

Ressource 1Download: Gallidabino et al. (2019) Analyst.pdf (4563.16 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: CC BY 4.0
Secondary document(s)
Under indefinite embargo.
UNIL restricted access
State: Public
Version: author
License: Not specified
Serval ID
serval:BIB_DE30B417E99A
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Quantitative profile–profile relationship (QPPR) modelling: a novel machine learning approach to predict and associate chemical characteristics of unspent ammunition from gunshot residue (GSR)
Journal
The Analyst
Author(s)
Gallidabino Matteo D., Barron Leon P., Weyermann Céline, Romolo Francesco S.
ISSN
0003-2654
1364-5528
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2019
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
144
Pages
1128-1139
Language
english
Notes
Open-access
Abstract
Evidence association in forensic cases involving gunshot residue (GSR) remains very challenging. Herein, a new in silico approach, called quantitative profile–profile relationship (QPPR) modelling, is reported. This is based on the application of modern machine learning techniques to predict the pre-discharge chemical profiles of selected ammunition components from those of the respective post-discharge GSR. The obtained profiles can then be compared with one another and/or with other measured profiles to make evidential links during forensic investigations. In particular, the approach was optimised and successfully tested for the prediction of GC-MS profiles of smokeless powders (SLPs) from organic GSR in spent cases, for nine ammunition types. Results showed a high degree of similarity between predicted and experimentally
measured profiles, after adequate combination and evaluation of fourteen machine learning techniques (median correlation of 0.982). Areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.976 and 0.824 were observed after receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the results obtained in the comparisons between predicted–predicted and predicted–measured profiles, respectively, in the specific case that the ammunition types of interest were excluded from the training dataset (i.e., extrapolation). Furthermore, AUCs of 0.962 and 0.894 were observed in interpolation mode. These values were close to those of the comparison of the measured SLP profiles between themselves (AUC = 0.998), demonstrating excellent potential to correctly associate evidence in a number of different forensic scenarios. This work represents the first time that a quantitative approach has successfully been applied to associate a GSR to a specific ammunition.
Keywords
Analytical Chemistry, Spectroscopy, Electrochemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry
Pubmed
Open Access
Yes
Create date
30/11/2018 13:53
Last modification date
23/01/2020 7:10
Usage data