Although residue from the explosive filler in a pipe bomb is routinely found on the post-blast container fragments, the amount of this residue is not quantified.  The main reason for this is that the legal question at hand is what, not how much, explosive is present. However, we propose that there is value to tracking the distribution of explosive residue on device components. In particular, such �residue mapping� would provide general guidance as to what fragments may be more likely to contain high levels of residue and what detection limits will be required given the amount of residue that is available for extraction.  In addition, the distribution of residues would also shed light on the process by which the explosive filler deflagrates, resulting in the ultimate failure of the device container.  In this study, two analytical techniques were evaluated to identify low levels of nitroglycerin, which is an energetic component found in double base smokeless powder. Initially, a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method was developed with a detection limit of approximately six parts per million. A much lower detection limit (in the realm of five parts per billion) was achieved by extracting container fragments and using a total vaporization approach coupled with headspace SPME-GC/MS.  Preliminary data for a PVC pipe fragment indicates that nitroglycerin is present at approximately 0.5mg/g fragment  (w/w). Ongoing work involves applying this analytical technique to numerous explosive devices constructed from various pipe materials.

Quantitative mapping of post-blast nitroglycerin residues on pipe bomb fragments using solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS)

246th National Meeting (2013)

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