FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF EXPLOSIVES USING ION-CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHODS

Applications of ion chromatographic analysis techniques including capillary electrophoresis and inverse photometric detection are explored in the analysis of low explosives and their residues. Past procedures for this analysis are reviewed and new techniques are introduced. A scheme for the investigation of trace evidence from bombing crime scenes using ion chromatographic techniques is developed. This scheme includes two sets of anionic and cationic analytical methods to allow identification and confirmation of the presence of inorganic explosive residue. Several different types of explosive devices are examined using this scheme, and the results are shown.