NCJ Number
205132
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 49 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2004 Pages: 227-237
Date Published
March 2004
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), when used with spectral libraries, is an effective method for rapidly identifying inorganic oxidizers commonly present in commercial and improvised explosives.
Abstract
The need to accurately characterize inorganic oxidizers is evident because these materials are available to the general public and may be used to make improvised explosive devices. Following a review of the methods that have previously been employed for the analysis of inorganic oxidizers in explosive formulations and post-blast residue, the authors contend there remains a need for a methodology that can be used to rapidly provide initial assessment on the presence and identity of inorganic oxidizers. The addition of spectral libraries to the ESI-MS approach provides a feasible way to attain a real-time analysis; the approach has been successfully used in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of controlled substances. MS analyses were carried out with a Thermo-Finnigan LCQ ion trap mass spectrometer. A series of miniature pipe bombs filled with 1-3 g of oxidizer and sugar mixture were exploded to obtain post-blast residue samples. ESI-MS of oxidizers shows a series of characteristic cluster ions that can be thought of as a fingerprint of a particular oxidizer. The addition of a spectral library allows for the tentative identification of inorganic oxidizers through an automated and easy-to-use process. Moreover, the use of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) further confirms the identity of the oxidizer in real-time. Among the advantages of this methodology are the ease of sample preparation, the small sample consumption, and that it can be readily implemented on various ESI-MS systems currently in use in analytical laboratories. Tables, figures, references