Forensic sciences explosives

See also Cosmetics and Toiletries. Forensic Sciences Explosives Fibers Gunshot Residues Paints, Varnishes, and Lacquers Systematic Drug Identification. Thin-Layer Chromatography Overview Principles Plate Technology Method Development. 

In another example of the use of the technique in forensic science, explosives have been identified. The molecularly specific nature of these explosives is indicated by the spectra illustrated in Fig. 3 for three explosives containing nitro groups. Two of these, RDX and PETN are components of plastic explosive that have very low vapor pressure. These can be identified readily from one small particle by Raman scattering. 

V. J. Clancey, Diagnostic Features of Explosion Damage, paper presented at the Sixth International Meeting of Forensic Sciences (Edinburgh, 1972). 

M.L. Fultz, Detection and Characterization of Explosives and Explosive Residues, A Review 2001—2004, Interpol Triennial Forensic Science Meeting, Lyon, France, 2004. 

D.D. Fetterolf and T.D. Clark, Detection of trace explosive evidence by ion mobility spectrometry. Journal of Forensic Sciences 38(1) (1993) 28—39. 

G.A. Buttigieg, A.K. Knight, S. Denson, C. Pommier and M.B. Denton, Characterization of the explosive triacetone triperoxide and detection by ion mobility spectrometry. Forensic Science International 135(1) (2003) 53-59. 

H.J. YaHop, Explosion Investigation , Forensic Science Society, Harrogate, 1980. 

Crippin first started his career in forensics in 1977 and still is extremely active in the field of forensic science. From August 1978 to August 1984, he served as forensic chemist with the Missouri State Highway Patrol system. In August 1984 he was promoted to laboratory supervisor of the St. Joseph, Missouri, Troop H laboratory. During his tenure with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, he was responsible for working all of the explosive incidents in the state. 

Yallop, H.J. (1980) Explosion Investigation, The Forensic Science Society, UK and Scottish Academic Press, Scotland. 

E.B. Byall. Explosives Report, Detection and Characterization of Explosives and Explosive Residue A Review, 1998-2001. 13th INTERPOL Forensic Science Symposium, Lyon, France, 16-19 October, 2001. Available at http //www.interpol.int/Public/Forensic/ IFS S/meeting 13/Reviews/Explosives. pdf. 

J. S. Wallace, and W. J. McKeown, Sampling Procedures for Firearms and/or Explosives Residues, Journal of the Forensic Science Society 30 (1993) 107. 

The Northern Ireland Forensic Science Taboratory (N1FST) was involved in the assessment of such ammunition for the police, and tests were conducted to compare lead levels using Nyclad and conventional ammunition. Unfortunately, the tests results did not survive the terrorist explosion at the laboratory in September 1992, but the overall conclusion was that the claims made relating to the reduction of lead were more than justified. (Other tests involving the examination of the perimeter of bullet holes in cloth that were caused by Nyclad bullets revealed that cobalt was repeatedly and readily detected by FAAS.)... 

Forensic Chemistry (Chemical Criminalistics). This branch of science relates to the application of chemical knowledge and techniques to the study of physical evidence connected with crime. Investigation of firearms, ammunition and expls is one of the duties of a forensic chemist Refs 1) A. Lucas, "Forensic Chemistry and Scientific Criminal Investigation , Longmans, Green, London (1935), Chap 7, Explosives Chap 11, Fireworks 2) H. Soderman J.J. O Connell, "Modern Criminal Investigation , Funk Wagnalls, NY (1945) 3) R.F. Turner, "Forensic Science... 

The success of HPLC in forensic science is not due solely to these general developments. In-house research and development work has made a significant contribution and this has been, and still is, essential because of specific problems which are experienced in the analysis of casework samples. As a result of these developments, HPLC is now used extensively for the analysis of drugs, metabolites, rodenticides, anions, sugars, dyes, polymers, optical brighteners, explosives, fatty acids and other miscellaneous compounds. 

During the last decade, capillary electrophoresis (CE) has developed into a widely applied method for the analysis of pharmaceuticals (both for the evaluation of pharmaceutical formulations and metabolites). These applications established the basis for introducing CE into the forensic held also. Today, capillary electrophoresis can be applied to a number of analytical problems in forensic science, including the analysis of gunshot residues, explosives, inks, dusts, soils, and, of course, illicit drugs, diverse toxicants, DNA hngerprinting, protein analysis, and so forth (for reviews, see Refs. 1 and 2). 

In forensic science, FTIR microscopy has been used to examine paint chips from automobile accidents. An example of a paint chip spectmm is shown in Fig. 4.29. Hit-and-run drivers frequently leave traces of paint on cars with which they collide. Identification of the paint can help to identify the car. Other uses of an IR microscope in forensic analysis include the examination of hbers, dmgs, and traces of explosives. 

Liquid chromatographic electrochemical detection has been widely used for metabolite studies in complex matrices and has general applicability in many helds, for example, the pharmaceutical industry, forensic science, medicine, the explosives industry, and agriculture. 

The fact that Raman measurements can usually be made through glass and plastic packaging, eliminating the need to prepare samples prior to analysis, makes Raman spectroscopy very attractive for forensic science. The availability of commercial portable instramentation and extended fiber optic probes makes Raman suitable for on-site forensic use, minimizing the risk of exposure of investigating personnel to potentially hazardous chemicals. Eor identification of explosives the SERS method has proved to be very useful. A tiny amount of explosive, diluted... 

In forensic science, chromatography is used in the analysis of drugs of abuse, toxicology, fire debris analysis, environmental analysis, and explosives analysis, to name but a few. To understand each of the chromatographic techniques, especially HPLC as the topic of this primer, it is necessary first to explain what chromatography is and the basic principles of chromatography. 

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