Stable Isotope Signatures in Explosives

Traditional methods of explosives analysis rely on identification and quantification of the explosive components as well as the binders, dyes and other trace materials. Stable light isotopes in these components may hold added information. Synthetically derived products such as explosives will have fixed into their structures stable isotopic information about the substrates and process conditions of their synthesis. These differences in substrates and processing conditions may lead to measurable differences in their stable isotope ratios that can be used as an additional “fingerprint”. Where significant differences exist, stable isotope ratio analysis might be useful in determining the source of explosives.