Identifying volatile compounds emitting from explosives through gas chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) with solid phase microextraction (SPME) has been a fundamental analytical tool for improving canine training and detection. Previous studies have examined common explosive formulations such as 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT), Composition C-4, and Pentaerythrite Tetranitrate (PETN). Many of these formulations contain degradation products or plasticizers, such as 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, dibutyl phthalate, dioctyladipate, and tributyl-acetyl citrate. However, some of these compounds, are also detected in everyday items which canines may encounter. The area of focus for our research is identifying plasticizers and degradation products in detonating cords and safety fuses, which have been narrowly studied for possible volatile plasticizers. Along with the plasticizers found in explosives, denotating cords and safety fuses are often encased in a manufactured textile tubing covered with a layer of asphalt and wrapped in an outer layer of textile coated with plastic. The excess materials utilized to produce these explosives may emit volatile compounds found in alternative products, causing false positive canine alerts. Identifying the volatile compounds in detonating cords and safety fuses through SPME-GC/MS, associating the compounds to other explosive classes, and highlighting the possible products emitting the same plasticizers will standardize and improve explosive detection and canine training.

Identification of volatile compounds in detonating cords and safety fuses

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