Discern HME Detection Kit

Detection Tests forHomemade Explosives (HME)

These slides are an excerpt from a presentation given at the 2016 NCT-CBRNe/eXplosive Asia conference in Kuala Lumpur

© 2016 Serim Research Corporation

Considerations for Selecting HME Detection Tests

Are budgetary issues imposing serious limitations?

Instrument versus Field Test Kit

What is the technical knowledge of the end users?

First responders or EOD unit

How much time for training can be set aside?

What are the environmental conditions?

Rural area, limited access to power supplies etc.

Detection of bulk versus trace?

2A.Roxana Nicolaescu MKT 16-36 WebSlides

Requirements for HME Field Tests

Easy to use with minimal training

Short time on target

Small in size and weight

Long shelf-life under normal environmental conditions

Low cost

No power requirements

A.Roxana Nicolaescu MKT 16-36 WebSlides 3

Scenario for Use of HME Detection

Colorimetric detection products are able to identify/confirm the presence of homemade explosive materials in the field in the fastest and easiest way possible.



Testing for explosive residue as part of a route clearance and demolitions.

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Testing for explosive residue helps combat

engineers identify roadside bomb makers.

A.Roxana Nicolaescu MKT 16-36 WebSlides


Stopping the supply chain of HME’s and precursors such as Calcium Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer.



Quick assessment of the situation possible with simple tools.


CNN.com 2010


Quick screening of assumed HME use in post blast investigation.


Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products

Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products

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Detection or identification of the explosives is made by observing a specific color changewhen chemical reagents come in contact with the suspect sample.

When treated by an appropriate reagent, a color that is characteristic of the sample compound is produced.


Applications for Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products

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Detection of explosive compounds in combat theaters

Testing of suspicious packages or objects at Check Points

Support EOD operations Assessing abandoned soils and facilities for

explosive compounds and residues Confirming K-9 Alerts Screening in post-blast explosions


The instructions must be followed precisely, with timed steps.

Liquid reagents have to be mixed/applied in a specific sequence to obtain correct results.

Often, require multiple steps/samples for one identification, e.g., Ammonium Nitrate.

Performance/shelf life is affected by prolonged exposure to dramatic swings in temperature and humidity.

Liquid Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products

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Liquid Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products

Use strong acids, concentrated bases and flammable organic solvents encapsulated in glass ampoules or in dropper bottles.

There is a high possibility for VIOLENTreactions occurring upon contact with unknown substances.

May expose the user to dangerous chemicals, even in the absence of explosives.

Watch for disclosures: contact with skin, disposal, etc.

Short shelf life, especially after opened.


Most commercially available colorimetric kits rely on liquid chemistry.

Liquid ChemistryColorimetric HME Field Detection Products

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DropEx – Mistral Security, Inc. – Expray®


Nitrates +

Liquid ChemistryColorimetric HME Field Detection Products

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Pocket-ETK™ NC – Lindon Defense Trace X® – Morphix® Technologies


In some kits liquids come in glass ampules encased in plasticto protect user from harsh chemicals.

Dry Reagent ChemistryColorimetric HME Field Detection Products

This technology addresses many difficulties encountered in the liquid based colorimetric chemistry.

Chemical reagents are in dry format

Chemical reactions are contained within the indicator pad.

Sample wetting with non-hazardous liquids helps desensitization.

The user exposure to hazards is minimized.

Longer shelf life under harsh environmental conditions.

Test Strip

Indicator Pads


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Dry Reagent Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products

Serim® Discern® HME Detection Kit5189B

American Innovations Bulk HME Precursor Test Kit

AI-HME-001


Dry Reagent Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products

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AI-HME-001 detects Nitrates and Chlorates

with one sample


Discern detects and identifies up to five separate threats using one sample for

the bulk detection of HMEs.

Case Studies: Unknown Substance


White powder or prills of unknown substances is the most common scenario encountered when entering suspected terrorist compounds.

Case Study #1. Fertilizer?


TEST RESULTS: Not a Fertilizer - sample contained Urea Nitrate. All colorimetric tests detected Nitrates, but DropEx and Serim Discern tests distinguished the sample as Urea Nitrate.

Case Study #2. PeroxidesTATP


TEST RESULTS: Some colorimetric tests lack specificity to distinguish between oxidizers. Discern® HME and DropEx can distinguish between Chlorates and Peroxides using a 2-step test procedure.

Case Study #3. Flashpowder


TEST RESULTS: Some test kits cannot be used with Flashpowder or Blackpowder, as the dark powdered samples mask any color reaction. The Discern HME I.D. test uses a filter sampling method that minimizes color interferences.

Identification of Ammonium Nitrate –Liquid vs Dry Reagent Chemistry

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KitTake sample

then:Test Sequence Result

LIQUID

DropEx,

ETK

Sample #1:

Step 1

Break ampule or open

bottle 1, add reagent

Sample #1:

Step 2



Sample #1:

Step 3



Inorganic

Nitrates

Sample #2:

Step 4


bottle 4 (not available in

all kits), add reagent

Ammonium



KitTake sample

then:Test Sequence Result

LIQUIDTraceX

Sample #1: Steps 1

through 10

Break ampule, wet swab, take sample, apply sample, break reagent ampules, shake.

Inorganic Nitrates

DRYAI-HME -

001

Sample #1: Step 1

Dissolve sample, insert stripInorganic Nitrates

DRYDiscern

HME I.D.

Sample #1: Step 1

Wet sample, swab and apply to strip

Ammonium Nitrate

Identification of Ammonium Nitrate –Liquid vs Dry Reagent Chemistry (con’t)

Test results are obtained in one minute or less

Uses less steps to obtain results

Dry chemistry test strips have a shelf-life of 18 months or more under harsh conditions

No hazardous/corrosive liquids are required

Samples are desensitized with water

Advantages of Dry Reagent Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Tests


Very inexpensive

Can detect and identify threats quickly

Are easy to use and suitable for first responders

Samples can be collected for further forensic

testing

Advantages of Dry Reagent Chemistry Colorimetric HME Field Detection Tests


Limitations of Colorimetric HME Tests –Liquid or Dry Reagent Chemistry

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Specificity limited to groups of explosives Low specificity for certain Oxidizers; cannot distinguish

between Peroxides such as TATP and HMTD or Chlorates and Bromates

Color reactions can also occur with non-explosive samples. React to Nitrites (used to preserve meat) the same as for

Nitrates (Fertilizer use)

Although detection limit varies for each product, generally not suitable for trace detection.

For forensic evidence, sample has to be confirmed by laboratory tests


Discern® HME I.D. Detection Test –EASE OF USE IN THE FIELD

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NEW Discern App


Discern® HME Detection Kit

The Discern® HME Detection Kit is available from:Serim Research

Elkhart, IN 4651 4www.DiscernHME.com

800-542-4670


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Discern HME Detection Kit