Technology Development, Implementation and Evaluation for Collection and Analysis of Explosives Trace Chemical Evidence

摘要

A method has been developed for sampling surfaces and analyzing for the presence of trace amounts of organic explosives. The method entails the use of a TeflonTM dry surface-wiping material for sample collection, and a common laboratory instrument (a gas chromatograph) suitable for explosives analysis. Minimal instrument modifications are required, making the implementation of this method fast, inexpensive, and easily accomplished in any forensics laboratory. Applications of the method range from investigating debris left after a bomb detonation to surface testing baggage in airports. The method has been tested in the laboratory and published in peer-reviewed journals. Documentation of this work has been provided to local, state and federal law enforcement officials.