Chapter 24 Explosives

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses explosives. The analysis of explosives is an important part of forensic chemistry. Its major applications include the analysis of postblast residues and identification of traces of explosives on suspects' hands, clothing, and other related items. The results of these analyses are not only necessary for the investigation of a bombing but also serve as evidence in court. Modern methodologies for forensic analysis of explosives are based on gas chromatography (GC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with specific detectors, ion mobility spectrometry, and mass spectrometry (MS). The main explosives that forensic laboratories have to deal with are standard explosives, plastic explosives, and improvised explosives. GC with specific detectors has been found to be a good method for the separation and analysis of many organic explosives.