Discern HME detection kit

Detection Tests for
Homemade 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?
2
A.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.
4

Testing for explosive residue as part of a route clearance
and demolitions.
5
Testing for explosive
residue helps combat
engineers identify
roadside bomb makers.

Stopping the supply
chain of HME’s and
precursors such as
Calcium Ammonium
Nitrate Fertilizer.
6

Quick assessment of the situation possible with simple tools.
7
CNN.com 2010

Quick screening of assumed HME use in post blast investigation.
8

Colorimetric HME Field Detection Products

10
 Detection or identification of the explosives
is made by observing a specific color change
when 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
11
 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
12

Liquid Chemistry
 Use strong acids, concentrated bases and
flammable organic solvents encapsulated in
glass ampoules or in dropper bottles.
 There is a high possibility for VIOLENT
reactions 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 Chemistry
14
DropEx – Mistral Security, Inc. – Expray®
Nitrates +

Liquid Chemistry
15
Pocket-ETK™ NC – Lindon Defense Trace X® – Morphix® Technologies
In some kits liquids come in glass ampules encased in plastic
to protect user from harsh chemicals.

Dry Reagent Chemistry
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

17
Serim® Discern® HME Detection Kit
5189B
American Innovations
Bulk HME Precursor Test Kit
AI-HME-001

18
 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
19A.Roxana Nicolaescu MKT 16-36 WebSlides
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. Peroxides
TATP
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
23
Kit
Take 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

Kit
Take sample
then:
Test Sequence Result
LIQUID
TraceX
Sample #1:
Steps 1
through 10
Break ampule, wet swab, take
sample, apply sample, break
reagent ampules, shake.
Inorganic
Nitrates
DRY
AI-HME -
001
Sample #1:
Step 1
Dissolve sample, insert strip
Inorganic
Nitrates
DRY
Discern
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
27
 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
28
NEW Discern App

Discern® HME Detection Kit
The Discern® HME Detection Kit is
available from:
Serim Research
Elkhart, IN 4651 4
www.DiscernHME.com
800-542-4670

Discern HME detection kit

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