Utilizing direct analysis in real time - Mass Spectrometry for the development of an alternative analytical method for the forensic analysis and identification of high explosives
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Abstract
Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is often referred to as the Gold Standard of forensic analysis due to its ability to separate and identify hundreds of compounds. Many forensic laboratories utilize this instrument when analyzing possible explosive evidence despite that it is best suited for compounds that are thermally stable, volatile, and non-polar. Most high explosive compounds have low vapor pressure, are thermally unstable and feature nitro- groups, making them more polar molecules. These characteristics make high explosives not amendable to GC-MS analysis. This research outlines the process of creating an alternate method utilizing Direct Analysis in Real Time - Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) for the identification of explosive compounds including nitroaromatics, nitrate esters and nitramines. DART is an ionization method that utilizes gas phase reactions to create analyte ions that are later fragmented and identified using a Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer. DART-MS proves to be a valuable analytical approach that can be implemented into forensic laboratories as a fast, high-throughput and simple screening method for the analysis of high explosives. The method outlined in this research was successful at identifying compounds that were not identified in GC-MS analysis.
Description
2024