GSR
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Gunshot residue |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Government & Politics, Science & Engineering |
GSR has two meanings. It stands for Gunshot residue (police) or Galvanic skin response (psychology).
Meanings of GSR at a glance
| # | GSR stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gunshot residue | Government & Politics › Police |
| 2 | Galvanic skin response | Science & Engineering › Psychology |
1. Gunshot residue
Government & Politics · Police Abbreviations
Microscopic particles, mainly of lead, barium and antimony, expelled when a firearm is discharged, which can land on the shooter's hands, face and clothing. Forensic labs test swabs for GSR to suggest whether a person fired or was near a gun.
Example: The GSR kit was used on the suspect's hands within an hour of the shooting.
GSR can transfer from police officers, vehicles or surfaces, and it washes off easily, so results are interpreted cautiously. Scanning electron microscopy with X-ray analysis is the standard test method. Some labs have reduced GSR testing because of its limited evidentiary value.
2. Galvanic skin response
Science & Engineering · Psychology Abbreviations
Change in the electrical conductance of the skin caused by sweat gland activity, which rises with emotional arousal, stress and surprise. GSR is used in psychophysiology research, lie-detector polygraphs, biofeedback and user-experience testing.
Example: GSR spikes appeared each time participants viewed the threatening images.
Charles Féré reported the effect in 1888. Researchers now usually call it electrodermal activity (EDA) or skin conductance response (SCR). Because sweat glands are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, GSR indicates arousal but not whether an emotion is positive or negative.
Related abbreviations
More police abbreviations
- FTA – Failure to appear
- FTO – Field training officer
- GBH – Grievous bodily harm
- GOA – Gone on arrival
- GTA – Grand theft auto
- HGN – Horizontal gaze nystagmus
- IA – Internal affairs
- IID – Ignition interlock device
See all 84 police abbreviations →
More psychology abbreviations
- fMRI – Functional magnetic resonance imaging
- FSIQ – Full-scale intelligence quotient
- g – General intelligence factor
- GAD-7 – Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale
- HEXACO – Honesty-humility, emotionality, extraversion, agreeableness…
- HPA – Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (axis)
- IAT – Implicit Association Test
- IQ – Intelligence quotient