title: The Potential of Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) and Gas Chromatography-IRMS Analysis of Triacetone Triperoxide in Forensic Explosives Investigations.
abstract: Studying links between triacetone triperoxide (TATP) samples from crime scenes and suspects can assist in criminal investigations. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and gas chromatography (GC)-IRMS were used to measure the isotopic compositions of TATP and its precursors acetone and hydrogen peroxide. In total, 31 TATP samples were synthesized with different raw material combinations and reaction conditions. For carbon, a good differentiation and a linear relationship were observed for acetone-TATP combinations. The extent of negative (δ(13) C) fractionation depended on the reaction yield. Limited enrichment was observed for the hydrogen isotope (δ(2) H) values of the TATP samples probably due to a constant exchange of hydrogen atoms in aqueous solution. For oxygen (δ(18) O), the small isotopic range and excess of water in hydrogen peroxide resulted in poor differentiation. GC-IRMS and IRMS data were comparable except for one TATP sample prepared with high acid concentration demonstrating the potential of compound-specific isotope analysis. Carbon IRMS has practical use in forensic TATP investigations.
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA, The Hague, The Netherlands.|Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5, 2600 AA, Delft, The Netherlands.|Faculty of Science, Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, 1090 GD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karlijn D B
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Bezemer
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mattijs
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koeberg
authors.affiliation: Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5, 2600 AA, Delft, The Netherlands.|TNO Technical Sciences, PO Box 45, 2280 AA, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Antoine E D M
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: van der Heijden
authors.affiliation: TNO Technical Sciences, PO Box 45, 2280 AA, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Chris A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: van Driel
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blaga
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jildert
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bruinsma
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA, The Hague, The Netherlands. a.van.asten@nfi.minvenj.nl.|Faculty of Science, Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, 1090 GD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.van.asten@nfi.minvenj.nl.|CLHC, Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, PO Box 94157, 1090 GD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.van.asten@nfi.minvenj.nl.
authors.forename: Arian C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: van Asten
keywords: explosives; forensic science; gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometry; isotope ratio mass spectrometry; precursors; triacetone triperoxide