Identification of improvised explosives residues using physical-chemical analytical methods under real conditions after an explosion

Marek Kotrlý; Bohumil Mareš; Ivana Turková; Ivo Beroun

doi:10.1117/12.2224216

3 May 2016 Identification of improvised explosives residues using physical-chemical analytical methods under real conditions after an explosion

Marek Kotrlý, Bohumil Mareš, Ivana Turková, Ivo Beroun

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9823, Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XXI; 98230S (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2224216
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2016, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

Within the analysis of cases relating to the use of explosives for crimes, we have experienced a shift from using industrial explosives towards substances made in amateur and illegal way. Availability of industrial explosives is increasingly limited to a narrow sphere of subjects with a relevant permission. Thus, on the part of perpetrators, terrorists, ever greater attention is paid to illegal production of explosives that are easily made from readily available raw materials. Another alarming fact is the availability of information found on the internet. Procedures of preparation are often very simple and do not require even a deeper professional knowledge. Explosive characteristics are not actually accessible for many of these substances (detonation velocity, sensitivity, working capacity, brisance, physical and chemical stability, etc.). Therefore, a project is being implemented, which on grounds of assessment of individual information available in literature and on the internet, aiming at choosing individual areas of potentially abusable substances (e.g. mixtures of nitric acid (98%) with organic substances, mixtures nitromethane and tetranitromethane with organic substances, mixtures of chlorates and perchlorates of alkali metals with organic substances, chemically individual compounds of organic base type of perchloric acid, azides, fulminates, acetylides, picrates, styphnates of heavy metals, etc.). It is directed towards preparation of these explosives also in non-stoichiometric mixtures, conducting test explosives, determination of explosive characteristics (if they are unknown) and analysis of both primary phases and post-blast residues through available analytical techniques, such as gas and liquid chromatography with mass detection, FTIR, micro-Raman spectrometry, electron microscopy with microanalysis and Raman microspectrometry directly in SEM chamber for analysis at the level of individual microparticles. The received characteristics will be used to extend knowledge database for security forces.

Citation Download Citation

Marek Kotrlý, Bohumil Mareš, Ivana Turková, and Ivo Beroun "Identification of improvised explosives residues using physical-chemical analytical methods under real conditions after an explosion", Proc. SPIE 9823, Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XXI, 98230S (3 May 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2224216

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