Detection of organic explosive residues from outdoor detonations using confocal Raman microscopy

IF 2.2 3区 医学 Q1 MEDICINE, LEGAL
Jared Estevanes, Geraldine Monjardez
{"title":"Detection of organic explosive residues from outdoor detonations using confocal Raman microscopy","authors":"Jared Estevanes,&nbsp;Geraldine Monjardez","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112292","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The detection of post-blast residues in the aftermath of an explosion involving organic explosives with spectroscopic techniques is challenging as, typically, no microscopically visible unreacted particles remain after the explosion. However, some low-order explosions may leave visible particles behind, as well as the presence of significant amounts of unreacted material. In this study, four authentic open-air detonations using two simulated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) containing a mixture of military explosives (TNT and RDX), and two IEDs containing smokeless powder were conducted. The various materials they contained, including plastic, wood, and metal, were swabbed and extracted with acetone to create post-blast liquid extracts. The extracts were then dried and examined using confocal Raman microscopy, alongside a 50 ppm reference mixture of smokeless powder constituents, which was created to evaluate the effects of Raman scattering within the full smokeless powder mixture. Smokeless powder constituents, such as ethyl centralite, diphenylamine, nitroglycerin, and dibutyl phthalate, were successfully identified by comparison to the reference mixture on most substrates, with the exception of the paint stick (wood) substrate. TNT/RDX was also able to be identified in the extracts, with RDX crystals being observed in some dried extracts after solvent evaporation. However, the detection of TNT/RDX in the second detonation was unsuccessful, possibly due to an explosive chain reaction that was highly efficient. No trends were seen in substrate affinity for TNT/RDX. The challenges and benefits with the developed methodology for the detection of organic explosive residues from a variety of substrates are discussed in detail.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112292"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Forensic science international","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073824003748","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MEDICINE, LEGAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0

Abstract

The detection of post-blast residues in the aftermath of an explosion involving organic explosives with spectroscopic techniques is challenging as, typically, no microscopically visible unreacted particles remain after the explosion. However, some low-order explosions may leave visible particles behind, as well as the presence of significant amounts of unreacted material. In this study, four authentic open-air detonations using two simulated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) containing a mixture of military explosives (TNT and RDX), and two IEDs containing smokeless powder were conducted. The various materials they contained, including plastic, wood, and metal, were swabbed and extracted with acetone to create post-blast liquid extracts. The extracts were then dried and examined using confocal Raman microscopy, alongside a 50 ppm reference mixture of smokeless powder constituents, which was created to evaluate the effects of Raman scattering within the full smokeless powder mixture. Smokeless powder constituents, such as ethyl centralite, diphenylamine, nitroglycerin, and dibutyl phthalate, were successfully identified by comparison to the reference mixture on most substrates, with the exception of the paint stick (wood) substrate. TNT/RDX was also able to be identified in the extracts, with RDX crystals being observed in some dried extracts after solvent evaporation. However, the detection of TNT/RDX in the second detonation was unsuccessful, possibly due to an explosive chain reaction that was highly efficient. No trends were seen in substrate affinity for TNT/RDX. The challenges and benefits with the developed methodology for the detection of organic explosive residues from a variety of substrates are discussed in detail.
利用共焦拉曼显微镜检测户外爆炸的有机爆炸物残留物。
使用光谱技术检测有机爆炸物爆炸后的残留物具有挑战性,因为通常情况下,爆炸后不会留下微观可见的未反应颗粒。然而,某些低阶爆炸可能会留下可见颗粒,以及大量未反应物质。在本研究中,使用两个含有军用炸药(TNT 和 RDX)混合物的模拟简易爆炸装置和两个含有无烟火药的简易爆炸装置进行了四次真实的露天爆炸。对其中包含的各种材料(包括塑料、木材和金属)进行拭擦并用丙酮提取,以获得爆炸后的液体提取物。然后将提取物烘干,使用共焦拉曼显微镜与 50 ppm 的无烟火药成分参考混合物一起进行检测,以评估拉曼散射在全部无烟火药混合物中的影响。通过与大多数基底(油漆棒(木质)基底除外)上的参考混合物进行比较,成功鉴定出了无烟火药成分,如仲丁子乙酯、二苯胺、硝化甘油和邻苯二甲酸二丁酯。TNT/RDX 也能在提取物中被鉴定出来,在一些溶剂蒸发后的干燥提取物中可以观察到 RDX 结晶。不过,在第二次爆炸中未能成功检测到 TNT/RDX,这可能是由于爆炸链反应的效率很高。在底物对 TNT/RDX 的亲和性方面没有发现任何趋势。详细讨论了所开发的从各种基质中检测有机爆炸残留物的方法所面临的挑战和益处。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
求助全文
约1分钟内获得全文 求助全文
来源期刊
Forensic science international
Forensic science international 医学-医学:法
CiteScore
5.00
自引率
9.10%
发文量
285
审稿时长
49 days
期刊介绍: Forensic Science International is the flagship journal in the prestigious Forensic Science International family, publishing the most innovative, cutting-edge, and influential contributions across the forensic sciences. Fields include: forensic pathology and histochemistry, chemistry, biochemistry and toxicology, biology, serology, odontology, psychiatry, anthropology, digital forensics, the physical sciences, firearms, and document examination, as well as investigations of value to public health in its broadest sense, and the important marginal area where science and medicine interact with the law. The journal publishes: Case Reports Commentaries Letters to the Editor Original Research Papers (Regular Papers) Rapid Communications Review Articles Technical Notes.
×
引用
GB/T 7714-2015
复制
MLA
复制
APA
复制
导出至
BibTeX EndNote RefMan NoteFirst NoteExpress
×
提示
您的信息不完整,为了账户安全,请先补充。
现在去补充
×
提示
您因"违规操作"
具体请查看互助需知
我知道了
×
提示
确定
请完成安全验证×
copy
已复制链接
快去分享给好友吧!
我知道了
右上角分享
点击右上角分享
0
联系我们:info@booksci.cn Book学术提供免费学术资源搜索服务,方便国内外学者检索中英文文献。致力于提供最便捷和优质的服务体验。 Copyright © 2023 布克学术 All rights reserved.
京ICP备2023020795号-1
ghs 京公网安备 11010802042870号
Book学术文献互助
Book学术文献互助群
群 号:481959085
Book学术官方微信