Picogram Analyses of Explosive Residues Using the Thermal Energy Analyzer (TEA®)
Fine, DH
Director of research, New England Institute for Life Sciences, Waltham, MA

Yu, WC
Manager and technical manager respectively, Analytical Services Laboratory, Thermo Electron Corp., Waltham, MA

Goff, EU
Manager and technical manager respectively, Analytical Services Laboratory, Thermo Electron Corp., Waltham, MA

Bender, EC
Chemist, FBI Laboratory, Washington, DC

Reutter, DJ
Work completed while employed as a research chemist at FSRTU, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA; presently employed as research chemist, Research Division, Chemical Research and Development Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD


Abstract
The thermal energy analyzer (TEA®), interfaced to both a gas and a high performance liquid chromatograph, has been shown to be selective to nitro-based explosives at a sensitivity of 4 to 5 pg injected on-column. Analyses of “real world” explosives, post-explosion debris, handswabs, and human plasma are presented. Because of the selectivity of the technique, there was no need for sample cleanup before analysis.

Keywords:
criminalistics, EGDN, explosives, forensic science, gas chromatography, hand swabs, high performance liquid chromatography, NG, PETN, picogram detection, postblast residue, RDX, TEA® analyzer, Thermal Energy Analyzer (TEA (registered)), trinitrotoluene, vasodilators

Paper ID: JFS293840732

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Author Fine DH, Yu WC, Goff EU, Bender EC, Reutter DJ Title Picogram Analyses of Explosive Residues Using the Thermal Energy Analyzer (TEA®) Symposium , Committee on