Characterization of gunpowder component by using analytical chemistry techniques from different ammunition types

In a criminal investigation of firearm-related cases, the determination of the components of gunpowder can be considered as evidence for each sample of gunpowder. It can be considered an integral part of evidence processing. And the aim of this study is to know the components and the morphology of 6 gunpowder samples, as well as a procedure for selecting solubility of these components for the purpose of determining the appropriate solvent that can be used for extraction purposes in criminal operations, where six solvents were used for the solubility test (water-ethanol-methyl chloride-acetone-acetonitrile-compound solvent), the result of ATR-FTIR show the effective and common functional groups are (NO2) and (NO3) in addition to the (S=O), (C-H) and (C=O) groups these groups were present in each sample and appeared at close frequencies. and result of UV spectrometer show that the compound solvent is the perfect solvent for extractions methods. As for the morphology of each sample, a digital microscope was used and show that the Iraqi and Iraqi gray was irregularly spherical, while Yugoslavia and USA-wolf were cylindrical in shape and USA 9mm flat circular and the (Turkey-sound) irregular in shape. From this formation, each sample can be distinguished by its morphology.