Qualitative Analysis of Post-blast Residue using the Double Hyphenated UHPLC-(HESI)-MS/MS Technique

Abstract

The thriving terror activity is a menace to our society. To mitigate this, there is a dire need of upgraded and innovative analytical techniques for forensic analysis of explosives. The complexity in the matrix, restrictions in the sample quantity and ambiguity in the data interpretation are the different challenges that a forensic scientist face. The solution to these problems lies in upgradation of extraction technique, screening technique & confirmatory techniques. In this paper, the identification and forensic analysis of post blast residues recovered from controlled blast site has been presented. The targeted sample was extracted from soil by using Accelerated Solvent Extraction technique. The target compound was primarily identified to be PETN (PentaErythritol TetraNitrate) by color test and TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography). The confirmatory test for the target analyte was done by using a hyphenated technique LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer with tandem Mass). This manuscript demonstrates the viability of LC-MS/MS in Forensic Science for a fast, accurate and quality-assured analysis of post-blast residue.