NCJ Number
131166
Date Published
1985
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This report updates a research project designed to define and develop a rapid, workable approach for systematically identifying smokeless powders that are frequently used in pipe bombs.
Abstract
The report first reviews the research to date and then describes work with ion chromatography that has enhanced the differentiation of some ball and flattened ball powders. The report also documents changes in the way the computer search is performed for the Smokeless Powder Identification Library, a database that consists of over 100 samples of canister powder including all commercially available powders. The procedures described make the systematic identification of smokeless powders easier, more accurate, and more definitive. Studies are planned to explore the possibility of differentiating powder lots within a brand and to determine whether "single canister" identification is possible from nitroso-analogue and nitro-analogue profiles in questioned and known powders. The project aims to provide a clearinghouse for information and data useful for performing smokeless powder identification. 14 references