Forensic Identification of Inorganic Explosives by Ion Chromatography

Abstract

While there is a great deal of published literature describing methods for the analysis of organic explosives by various methods, there are comparatively few publications concerning the analysis of explosives based on inorganic chemicals. This mini‐review examines the literature that is concerned with the analysis of such explosives, commonly referred to as improvised explosive devices, using ion chromatography. Pertinent details from the reviewed publications are used to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of these methods and several comparisons are also made to other analytical techniques. The general utility and limitations of the reported research for the analysis of improvised explosive devices are discussed and future directions are proposed.

Keywords:

• Ion chromatography
• explosives
• forensic analysis
• improvised explosive devices
• anion
• cation