Direct injection of explosives for trace residue analysis via liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

Bombing sites are often contaminated with chemical residues that will identify the explosive material used in the blast. Therefore, a technique was developed to allow for trace detection of explosives at the 1 ppb concentration level and to identify unique ions. This was achieved using a direct injection liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy method. The first explosive studied was trinitrotoluene, which produced an ion of mass 226 and a response of 1283 counts. The second explosive, nitroglycerine, produced an intensity of 2169 counts at mass 299 and 2363 counts at mass 405. The third explosive, triacetone triperoxide, had an intensity of 1616 counts at mass 301 and 1012 counts at mass 405. The fourth explosive, 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine, had an intensity of 453 counts at mass 268 and 258 counts at mass 324. The final explosive studied, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, had an intensity of 406 counts at mass 378, 568 counts at mass 499, and 241 counts at mass 570.