Emerging techniques for the detection of pyrotechnic residues from seized postal packages containing fireworks. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bezemer, Karlijn D.B.; Forbes, Thomas P.; Hulsbergen, Annemieke W.C.; Verkouteren, Jennifer; Krauss, Shannon T.; Koeberg, Mattijs; Schoenmakers, Peter J.; Gillen, Greg; van Asten, Arian C.
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 308(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Trace-explosive detection -- Forensic explosives analysis -- Fireworks -- Pyrotechnics -- Parcel screening -- IRTD-DART-MS -- Capillary electrophoresis; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110160
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Direct chemical screening of postal packages to detect fireworks. Trace pyrotechnic residue detection with IRTD-DART-MS and CE with C 4 D. Practical value demonstrated with swipes of seized parcels. Differentiation of flash and black powder residues with IRTD-DART-MS. Abstract: High volume screening of parcels with the aim to trace the illegal distribution and selling of fireworks using postal services is challenging. Inspection services have limited manpower and means to perform extensive visual inspection. In this study, the presence of solid pyrotechnic residues collected from cardboard shipping parcels containing fireworks was investigated for direct in-field chemical detection. Two emerging trace detection techniques, i.e., capillary electrophoresis (CE)-based inorganic oxidizer detector and infrared thermal desorption (IRTD) coupled with direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS), were investigated for their potential as screening tools. Detection of non-visible pyrotechnic trace residues from real-case seized parcels was demonstrated using both screening techniques. However, the high nitrate background in the commercial CE system complicated its screening for black powder traces. IRTD-DART-MS allowed differentiation between flash and black powder by identification of the molecular inorganic ions. Compared to the portable CE instrument, rapid screening using IRTD-DART-MS is currently limited to laboratory settings. The capabilities of these emerging techniques established solid particle and trace residue chemical detection as interesting options for parcel screening in a logistic setting.