Chapter 8 - Analysis and Detection of Explosives by Mass Spectrometry

• Published in: Aspects of Explosives Detection pp. 147 - 169
• Main Author: Yinon, J.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 2009
• ISBN: 9780123745330; 9780444549365; 0444549366; 9780080923147; 0123745330; 0080923143
• DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-374533-0.00008-8

Various mass spectrometer configurations used for the detection of explosives include ion traps, quadrupoles and time-of-flight mass analyzers, and combinations such as Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) systems. MS deals with the separation and analysis of substances according to the masses of the atoms and molecules of which the substance is composed. Quadrupole and the ion trap are relatively small when compared with magnetic sector instruments and can be miniaturized to make mobile detectors weighing less than 15 kg. MS/MS systems are the triple-stage quadrupole and ion trap and allow one to induce fragmentation and mass analyze the fragment ions. Trace analysis of explosives is used in the analysis of post- explosion residues and identification of traces of explosives on suspects' hands, clothing, and other related items, which makes it an important application in forensic science. It can also be used in the analysis of explosives and their degradation products in soil and water, which makes it a useful environmental application. The methodologies for the analysis of explosives for both forensic and environmental applications are very similar. Depending on the type of explosives, both electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) are used. Despite the complexity of the mass spectrometer, its performance as an explosives detector is more reliable than most existing vapor and trace detectors.