The study explored some of the problems that have compromised the value of this test in forensic work, and the focus was on in vitro synthesis of colored lead complexes and the formation of these complexes on paper from gunshot residues. It was found that aqueous solutions of sodium rhodizonate were considerably more stable if stored below pH 3. The rhodizonate dianion was then diprotonated, forming rhodizonic acid, and the half-life of the solution increased from about 1 hour to about 10 hours. The formation of a nondiagnostic purple complex instead of the desired scarlet complex was avoided by ensuring the area to be examined was pretreated using tartrate buffer with a pH adjusted to 2.8 prior to treatment with rhodizonic acid. Whereas the scarlet complex changed to a blue-violet complex after secondary treatment which indicated the presence of lead, the purple complex decolorized completely under these conditions and its formation represented wastage of lead from within the test area. 7 references and 7 figures