title: Progressing the analysis of Improvised Explosive Devices: Comparative study for trace detection of explosive residues in handprints by Raman spectroscopy and liquid chromatography.
abstract: Concerning the dreadful global threat of terrorist attacks, the detection of explosive residues in biological traces and marks is a current need in both forensics and homeland security. This study examines the potential of Raman microscopy in comparison to liquid chromatography (ion chromatography (IC) and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC)) to detect, identify and quantify residues in human handmarks of explosives and energetic salts commonly used to manufacture Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) including dynamite, ammonium nitrate, single- and double-smokeless gunpowders and black powder. Dynamite, ammonium nitrate and black powder were detected through the identification of the energetic salts by Raman spectroscopy, their respective anions by IC, and organic components by RP-HPLC. Smokeless gunpowders were not detected, either by Raman spectroscopy or the two liquid chromatography techniques. Several aspects of handprint collection, sample treatment and a critical comparison of the identification of compounds by both techniques are discussed. Raman microscopy and liquid chromatography were shown to be complementary to one another offering more comprehensive information for trace explosives analysis.
authors: Inquifor Research Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and University Institute of Research in Police Sciences (IUICP), University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona km 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: felix.zapata@uah.es.
authors: Félix
authors: F
authors: Zapata
authors: Inquifor Research Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and University Institute of Research in Police Sciences (IUICP), University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona km 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: marianf.ossa@uah.es.
authors: Mª Ángeles Fernández
authors: MÁF
authors: de la Ossa
authors: Department of Pharmacy & Forensic Science, Analytical & Environmental Science Division, King's College London, Franklin Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: elizabeth.gilchrist@ucc.ie.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Gilchrist
authors: Department of Pharmacy & Forensic Science, Analytical & Environmental Science Division, King's College London, Franklin Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: leon.barron@kcl.ac.uk.
authors: Leon
authors: L
authors: Barron
authors: Inquifor Research Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and University Institute of Research in Police Sciences (IUICP), University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona km 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: carmen.gruiz@uah.es.
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: García-Ruiz
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D053834:Explosive Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000032:analysis; D011208:Powders; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
chemical_list: D053834:Explosive Agents; D009566:Nitrates; D011208:Powders; D005996:Nitroglycerin; C006568:ammonium nitrate
keywords: Black powder; Dynamite; Handprints; Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs); Liquid chromatography; Raman spectroscopy