Chemical Profiling of Inorganic and Pyrotechnic Explosives

Project Information

PyroProf

Grant agreement ID: 747249

DOI

10.3030/747249

Project closed

EC signature date 10 May 2017

Start date 4 September 2017

End date 3 September 2019

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 177 598,80

EU contribution

€ 177 598,80

Coordinated by

Netherlands Forensic Institute
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PyroProf (Chemical Profiling of Inorganic and Pyrotechnic Explosives)

Reporting period: 2017-09-04 to 2019-09-03

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The Pyroprof project has contributed to the need for forensic profiling of inorganic explosives, a strategy that goes beyond the identification of chemical components. Explosive profiling may give insight in characteristic profiles (individualization). This strategy can provide crucial evidence for court, not only for solving case work, also intelligence in counterterrorism investigations. Therefore, through this project the proof of principle for the necessary analytical strategies and tools for explosive profiling has been developed and tested, as well as additional new knowledge on chemical compositions that might allow individualization of case work samples has been obtained.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The main outcome of this project is: two new analytical methods by Ion chromatography-Mass spectrometry (IC-MS) for the identification and quantification of 40 ions related to inorganic explosives, 2 methods for the analysis of powders and clay of fireworks by Capillary Electrophoresis (CE), 1 method for the analysis of fireworks clay by portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), a sampling kit with instructions for the collection of pre- and post-blast samples and environmental samples, the sampling necessary for a complete environmental survey of the background chemical levels of ions related to inorganic explosives in the Netherlands, the set-up for a new database with GIS (Geographical Information System) functionality to display the chemical levels of ions of interest in a specific spot in the Netherlands, and new insight on the trace composition of different parts of fireworks (powders, fuses and clay plugs).

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

All these tools and new knowledge will give the chance to forensic expert to implement the chemical profiling of inorganic explosives for solving regular case work. This research will impact and benefit the beneficiary institution, the Netherlands Forensic Institute, since it will exploit the outcome in order to improve the quality of its services (i.e. analysis of case work samples, forensic reports, court testimony) for the criminal justice system in the Netherlands. In addition, this project has been disseminated to other professionals of this field that work in other European forensic institutions through the Network of European Forensic Laboratories. Hence, the whole European society might benefit from this action. In addition, this project will boost the career of the granted fellow, Dr. Carlos Martín-Alberca, thanks to the excellent training on analytical techniques, knowledge on explosives and forensic, project management, mentoring and teaching at the beneficiary institution and at the partner institution, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU).

General aim of the action and the 3 specific goals