NCJ Number
223396
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2008 Pages: 690-693
Date Published
May 2008
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This paper reports the detection of four explosives--2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), nitroglycerin (NG), ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN), and triacetone triperoxide (TATP)--in contaminated hair using the ion mobility spectrometer (IMS), with emphasis on TATP, an explosive used extensively by Middle Eastern terrorists.
Abstract
The IMS in E-mode (for explosives) easily detected TNT, NG, and EGDN in all colors of hair (brown, black, and blonde) by using three modes of sample introduction to the IMS vapor desorption unit: placement of hair directly into the unit, swabbing of hair and placement of swabs into the unit, and acetonitrile extracts of hair positioned on sample traps and placed into the unit. The peroxide explosive TATP required much higher amounts (1.9-3.9 mg) on the hair before it was detected by the IMS in E-mode. TATP was detectable at much lower amounts (<0.8 mg adsorbed to ~0.05 g hair) in the IMS N-mode (narcotics mode). Hairs of various colors (black, brown, and blonde) were obtained from individuals. Most studies used black hair from an Asian female, because previous studies showed it to readily absorb explosives. Prior to use, hair was washed with 2-percent sodium laurel sulfate, rinsed with distilled water, and dried on a paper towel at room temperature. Amber-colored jars (10.5 cm diameter x 8.5 cm high) were carefully cleaned and dried. Approximately 0.5 g of a specific explosive was placed into the bottom of a jar. The cut hair samples were placed in aluminum weighing boats, which were stacked three high inside the jar. Care was taken not to let the boats touch the sides of the jar or the explosive. Procedures for using the IMS are described in detail. 8 figures, 2 tables, and 11 references