NCJ Number
218698
Date Published
October 2004
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a rapid method that uses solid phase microextraction for the trace-level analysis of explosives in soil, water, and swab samples of common areas and postblast debris.
Abstract
The experiment described in this paper found that the solid phase microextraction-based method yielded comparable and sometimes superior results to acetone extractions, except for soils, demonstrating that solid phase microextraction is an effective extraction technique for sampling actual postblast debris. The solid phase microextraction-based method provided better sensitivity for ethylene glycol dinitrate; resulted in chromatograms with lower, less complex background signals when compared to acetone extractions; and did not rely on the use of organic solvents. The potential for solid phase microextraction to be used in the field for explosives sampling was also investigated and found to be adequate for a variety of matrixes. The experiment involved the collection of soil, water, and swab samples from an explosives range and common areas at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. For comparative purposes, the samples were processed with solid phase microextraction and acetone extraction techniques. Solid phase microextraction is a solvent-free technique that is capable of extraction, processing, concentration, and sample introduction of a wide variety of compounds present in a number of matrixes. 6 figures and 12 references