Application of capillary electrophoresis for the determination of inorganic ions in trace explosives and explosive residues.

Capillary electrophoresis was developed for the analysis of low explosive residue, because a significant amount of inorganic anions and cations remain after deflagration. Certain high explosives, such as emulsion explosives, produce a vast quantity of inorganic ions after a blast and can readily be analyzed using capillary electrophoresis. Often, trace amounts of explosive residues may be present on physical evidence submitted in criminal cases. Trace amounts of inorganic ions such as nitrate, chlorate, and ammonium may be detected using capillary electrophoresis owing to the low detection limit of these species. The utility of capillary electrophoresis in the analysis of explosive residues is in its ability to simultaneously analyze trace explosives and ionic products present on physical evidence.