Related Experiment Videos
Developing a quantitative extraction technique for determining the organic additives in smokeless handgun powder
1Analytical Chemistry Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|July 14, 2001
Summary
A new ultrasonic solvent extraction method provides accurate recovery of smokeless powder additives like nitroglycerin (NG) and diphenylamine (DPA). This method, combined with capillary electrophoresis (CE), enables rapid forensic analysis of handgun powder samples.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Compositional analysis of smokeless handgun powder additives aids in forensic investigations.
- Accurate quantitative extraction is crucial for reliable forensic measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a reliable method for the quantitative extraction of organic additives from smokeless handgun powder.
- To evaluate supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE) for this purpose.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated solvent choice, recovery of spiked compounds, and matrix effects for extraction techniques.
- Developed a quantitative ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE) technique.
- Utilized micellar capillary electrophoresis (CE) for additive measurement.
Main Results:
- Ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE) was found to be a reliable method for quantitative recovery.
- The developed USE technique, coupled with CE, allowed for the analysis of nitroglycerin (NG), diphenylamine (DPA), and ethyl centralite (EC).
- Compositional analysis was achieved in under one hour.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative USE coupled with CE provides a rapid and reliable method for smokeless powder additive analysis.
- This technique strengthens forensic capabilities by enabling efficient association of known and questioned samples.