Epidermal cells on stubs used for detection of GSR with SEM-EDX: analysis of DNA polymorphisms.

DNA from epidermal cells attached to the adhesive tape of stubs employed to collect and identify gunshot residue (GSR) with scanning electron microscope (SEM) was extracted, amplified with PCR and typed. The method allowed identification of specimens when attribution to a definite person was uncertain. These results also suggest that adhesive tape could be used as a non invasive method for obtaining biological material suitable for DNA analysis from the skin surface.