DETECTION OF HIGH EXPLOSIVES - AN EXAMINATION OF CURRENT TECHNIQUES AND DEVELOPMENTS

• NCJ Number: 13715
• Journal: Police Research Bulletin Issue: 23 Dated: (SPRING 1974) Pages: 39-41
• Author(s): G J Church
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: Great Britain Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

A STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEW IN THE FIELD OF VAPOR DETECTORS.

Abstract

ALL SUBSTANCES HAVE A VAPOR PRESSURE. NITROGLYCERINE HAS A RELATIVELY HIGHER VAPOR PRESSURE THAT THE MORE SOPHISTICATED EXPLOSIVES SUCH AS TNT. ELECTRON CAPTURE DEVICES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO DETECT NITROGLYCERIN BASED EXPLOSIVES, BUT ARE AS YET TOO UNRELIABLE FOR USE WITH TNT. THESE DEVICES MEASURE THE DECREASE IN ELECTRON FLOW BETWEEN TWO CHARGED PLATES THAT OCCURS IN THE PRESENCE OF CERTAIN VAPORS. UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALL EXPLOSIVES, APOSTROPHE VAPORS POSSESS AN ELECTRON CAPTURING CAPABILITY. CERTAIN MARINE BACTERIA EXHIBIT LUMINESCENCE WHEN EXPLOSED TO CERTAIN VAPORS AND IT IS HOPED THAT THIS KNOWLEDGE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ELECTRONIC VAPOR DETECTING CAPABILITIES WILL RESULT IN EFFICIENT EXPLOSIVES DETECTOR.