Forensic Investigation of Explosives and Explosive Devices

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

• Evaluate the methods available for the detection and analysis of explosives
• Distinguish between the types of improvised explosive device and assess the methods used to identify and investigate them
• Interpret the infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and electron ionisation mass spectra of important explosive compounds
• Decide on a procedure for identifying an explosive compound.

• Survey of methods used for the detection and analysis of explosives
• Types of improvised explosive devices and their investigation
• Sampling of bulk and trace explosives for forensic analysis Infrared and Raman spectroscopy
• Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
• Mass spectrometry techniques including Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry
• Chromatographic methods and detectors in explosives analysis
• Thin layer chromatography
• Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
• Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography
• Ion chromatography and size exclusion chromatography Capillary Electrophoresis and other separation methods for explosives.