A review of explosive residue detection from forensic chemistry perspective

Abstract

The growing threat of terrorism activities has caused an urgent need of improved forensic explosive analysis. Complex matrices, limited samples, and ambiguous interpretations serve as challenges for a forensic chemist in order to link the evidence to the perpetrator of the crime. This review focuses on three aspects namely screening techniques, extraction techniques, and instrumental techniques. For the screening techniques, this review focuses on fast detection based on chemical respond for pre-and post-explosion residues. Different types of extraction methods including swabbing technique, solid phase extraction, and solid phase microextraction were discussed. Instrumental techniques covered in this review included gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, ion chromatography and capillary electrophoresis.