LUNGE’S REAGENT FOR THE DETECTION OF NITRITES FROM GUNSHOT RESIDUE – AN OUTDATED METHOD?

L. I. Rudinská, V. Gebauerová, T. Švecová, P. Ihnát

Abstract: Purpose. The aim of the study was to investigate the reliability of Lunge’s reagent for the detection of nitrites from entry and exit gunshot wounds. Methods. This was a prospective autopsy cohort study conducted at the University Hospital Ostrava. During the study period, all persons who died after gunshot injury were assessed for the study eligibility. Results. In total, 80 cases of perforating gunshot wounds were included in the study and underwent further analysis. The most commonly used firearm was a handgun (85.0% of cases). Gunshot wounds were located on the head in 90.0% of cases, on the neck in 7.5% of cases and on the chest in 2.5% of study cases. Detection of nitrites from entry wounds was positive in 41 (51.3%) cases and negative in 39 (48,7%) cases. The Lunge test was positive in 21 (26.3%) exit wounds. Analysis of the 21 cases with a positive Lunge’s test from exit wounds showed that only 12 (57.1%) of these individuals also had a positive Lunge’s test from entry wounds. Conclusion. Lunge test for the detection of nitrites from gunshot wounds has a very low accuracy/reliability. Therefore, the Lunge test should no longer be used in common practice by forensic pathologists.
Keywords: gunshot residue, nitrites, Lunge test, dermal nitrate test, autopsy study, entry and exit gunshot wounds.