NCJ Number
182627
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: July 1999 Pages: 789-794
Editor(s)
R. E. Gaensslen Ph.D.
Date Published
1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Improvised explosive devices are of increasing concern among law enforcement agencies in the United States because of their destructive capability, and micellar electrokinetic capillary electrophoresis (MECE) can be used for the separation and analysis of uncharged molecules such as organic explosives.
Abstract
MECE, also known as micellar electrokinetic chromatography, is well-suited for the forensic analysis of organic constituents of explosives because of its high sensitivity and small sample requirements. In the present study, pipe bombs filled with known types of smokeless gunpowder were collected from post-blast fragments and analyzed using MECE. Results were compared to known types and analyzed to investigate the feasibility of matching post-blast residue to a specific powder used as an explosive charge. MECE showed promise in the analysis of pipe bomb residue and may be useful for situations in which separation of thermally-labile samples is required. With MECE, components are not subject to thermal breakdown as they are with gas chromatography. Because MECE does not require extensive equilibration time, evidence can be examined in a time-efficient manner. Further, MECE provides the forensic chemist useful information on post-blast residue composition and is a useful tool for characterizing smokeless powder. 14 references, 1 table, and 4 figures