Page 258 - Advances in Forensic Applications of Mass Spectrometry - Jehuda Yinon

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Analysis of
Explosives by LC/MS 6

JEHUDA YINON

Contents

6.1 Introduction
6.2 Electrospray Ionization (ESI) and Atmospheric Pressure
Chemical Ionization (APCI
6.2.1 Principle of Operation of ESI
6.2.2 Principle of Operation of APCI
6.2.3 Comparison between ESI and APCI
6.3 Analysis of Explosives
6.3.1 Nitroaromatic Explosives and Their Degradation
Products
6.3.2 Nitramine Explosives
6.3.3 Nitrate Ester Explosives
6.3.4 Various Explosives and Oxidizers
6.3.5 Military, Commercial, and Other Explosive Mixtures
6.4 Summary and Future Directions
References

6.1 Introduction

One of the challenging areas in the field of explosives is the identification of
postblast explosive residues. The purpose of such analyses is twofold:

1. To serve as evidence in court. Although there is usually no need to
prove that an explosion has occurred, it is necessary to explain the
explosion, which includes the reconstruction of the explosive device
and the identification of explosive or explosives used.
2. To help the investigation in connecting a suspect to the scene of the
explosion. In addition to identifying the type of explosive, character-
ization of the explosive, such as country of origin and manufacturer,
would be of great help to the investigation.

© 2004 by CRC Press LLC