Transcript
Detection Tests forHomemade Explosives (HME)
These slides are an excerpt from a presentation given at the 2016 NCT-CBRNe/eXplosive Asia conference in Kuala Lumpur
© 2016 Serim Research Corporation
Considerations for Selecting HME Detection Tests
Are budgetary issues imposing serious limitations?
Instrument versus Field Test Kit
What is the technical knowledge of the end users?
First responders or EOD unit
How much time for training can be set aside?
What are the environmental conditions?
Rural area, limited access to power supplies etc.
Detection of bulk versus trace?
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Requirements for HME Field Tests
Easy to use with minimal training
Short time on target
Small in size and weight
Long shelf-life under normal environmental conditions
Low cost
No power requirements
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Scenario for Use of HME Detection
Colorimetric detection products are able to identify/confirm the presence of homemade explosive materials in the field in the fastest and easiest way possible.
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Scenario for Use of HME Detection
Testing for explosive residue as part of a route clearance and demolitions.
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Testing for explosive residue helps combat
engineers identify roadside bomb makers.
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Scenario for Use of HME Detection
Stopping the supply chain of HME’s and precursors such as Calcium Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer.
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Scenario for Use of HME Detection
Quick assessment of the situation possible with simple tools.
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CNN.com 2010
Scenario for Use of HME Detection
Quick screening of assumed HME use in post blast investigation.
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Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products
Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products
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Detection or identification of the explosives is made by observing a specific color changewhen chemical reagents come in contact with the suspect sample.
When treated by an appropriate reagent, a color that is characteristic of the sample compound is produced.
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Applications for Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products
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Detection of explosive compounds in combat theaters
Testing of suspicious packages or objects at Check Points
Support EOD operations Assessing abandoned soils and facilities for
explosive compounds and residues Confirming K-9 Alerts Screening in post-blast explosions
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The instructions must be followed precisely, with timed steps.
Liquid reagents have to be mixed/applied in a specific sequence to obtain correct results.
Often, require multiple steps/samples for one identification, e.g., Ammonium Nitrate.
Performance/shelf life is affected by prolonged exposure to dramatic swings in temperature and humidity.
Liquid Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products
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Liquid Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products
Use strong acids, concentrated bases and flammable organic solvents encapsulated in glass ampoules or in dropper bottles.
There is a high possibility for VIOLENTreactions occurring upon contact with unknown substances.
May expose the user to dangerous chemicals, even in the absence of explosives.
Watch for disclosures: contact with skin, disposal, etc.
Short shelf life, especially after opened.
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Most commercially available colorimetric kits rely on liquid chemistry.
Liquid ChemistryColorimetric HME Field Detection Products
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DropEx – Mistral Security, Inc. – Expray®
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Nitrates +
Liquid ChemistryColorimetric HME Field Detection Products
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Pocket-ETK™ NC – Lindon Defense Trace X® – Morphix® Technologies
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In some kits liquids come in glass ampules encased in plasticto protect user from harsh chemicals.
Dry Reagent ChemistryColorimetric HME Field Detection Products
This technology addresses many difficulties encountered in the liquid based colorimetric chemistry.
Chemical reagents are in dry format
Chemical reactions are contained within the indicator pad.
Sample wetting with non-hazardous liquids helps desensitization.
The user exposure to hazards is minimized.
Longer shelf life under harsh environmental conditions.
Test Strip
Indicator Pads
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Dry Reagent Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products
Serim® Discern® HME Detection Kit5189B
American Innovations Bulk HME Precursor Test Kit
AI-HME-001
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Dry Reagent Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products
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AI-HME-001 detects Nitrates and Chlorates
with one sample
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Discern detects and identifies up to five separate threats using one sample for
the bulk detection of HMEs.
Case Studies: Unknown Substance
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White powder or prills of unknown substances is the most common scenario encountered when entering suspected terrorist compounds.
Case Study #1. Fertilizer?
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TEST RESULTS: Not a Fertilizer - sample contained Urea Nitrate. All colorimetric tests detected Nitrates, but DropEx and Serim Discern tests distinguished the sample as Urea Nitrate.
Case Study #2. PeroxidesTATP
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TEST RESULTS: Some colorimetric tests lack specificity to distinguish between oxidizers. Discern® HME and DropEx can distinguish between Chlorates and Peroxides using a 2-step test procedure.
Case Study #3. Flashpowder
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TEST RESULTS: Some test kits cannot be used with Flashpowder or Blackpowder, as the dark powdered samples mask any color reaction. The Discern HME I.D. test uses a filter sampling method that minimizes color interferences.
Identification of Ammonium Nitrate –Liquid vs Dry Reagent Chemistry
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KitTake sample
then:Test Sequence Result
LIQUID
DropEx,
ETK
Sample #1:
Step 1
Break ampule or open
bottle 1, add reagent
Sample #1:
Step 2
Break ampule or open
bottle 2, add reagent
Sample #1:
Step 3
Break ampule or open
bottle 3, add reagent
Inorganic
Nitrates
Sample #2:
Step 4
Break ampule or open
bottle 4 (not available in
all kits), add reagent
Ammonium
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KitTake sample
then:Test Sequence Result
LIQUIDTraceX
Sample #1: Steps 1
through 10
Break ampule, wet swab, take sample, apply sample, break reagent ampules, shake.
Inorganic Nitrates
DRYAI-HME -
001
Sample #1: Step 1
Dissolve sample, insert stripInorganic Nitrates
DRYDiscern
HME I.D.
Sample #1: Step 1
Wet sample, swab and apply to strip
Ammonium Nitrate
Identification of Ammonium Nitrate –Liquid vs Dry Reagent Chemistry (con’t)
Test results are obtained in one minute or less
Uses less steps to obtain results
Dry chemistry test strips have a shelf-life of 18 months or more under harsh conditions
No hazardous/corrosive liquids are required
Samples are desensitized with water
Advantages of Dry Reagent Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Tests
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Very inexpensive
Can detect and identify threats quickly
Are easy to use and suitable for first responders
Samples can be collected for further forensic
testing
Advantages of Dry Reagent Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Tests
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Limitations of Colorimetric HME Tests –Liquid or Dry Reagent Chemistry
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Specificity limited to groups of explosives Low specificity for certain Oxidizers; cannot distinguish
between Peroxides such as TATP and HMTD or Chlorates and Bromates
Color reactions can also occur with non-explosive samples. React to Nitrites (used to preserve meat) the same as for
Nitrates (Fertilizer use)
Although detection limit varies for each product, generally not suitable for trace detection.
For forensic evidence, sample has to be confirmed by laboratory tests
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Discern® HME I.D. Detection Test –EASE OF USE IN THE FIELD
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NEW Discern App
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Discern® HME Detection Kit
The Discern® HME Detection Kit is available from:Serim Research
Elkhart, IN 4651 4www.DiscernHME.com
800-542-4670
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