© ahura scientific, inc. 2007 firstdefender explosives application overview october 08

© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007

FirstDefenderExplosives Application Overview

October 08

2© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007Slide 2

© Ahura Scientific 2008

Explosives Applications

Domestic Terrorism• Border Crossings• Critical Infrastructure• Liquid Explosives / Checkpoint Screening

Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)• Home Made Explosives (HME) - Wartime• Manufacturing Process

Chemical Hazards • Common Industrial Chemicals • Clandestine Laboratories



Typical Scenario for Potential Explosive Threats

CHALLENGE: Identify unknown chemicals

• Increased Risk/Exposure

• Delayed Decision Making

• Resource drain

• Unstable/Toxic Sample

• Still unknown chemical

• Takes time/delays operations

• Destroys evidence

• Detonating unknown

• Spread chem hazard

Drawbacks

Wait on Scene

Collect/Transport Sample

Blow-and-Go

Responder’s Options• Limited data

• Limited equipment

• Limited time



Robots

Radio Frequency Jammers

Vapor / Particulate

Chemical (Solid & Liquid)

Bomb Tech’s Technology Toolbox

Bomb Suit

Explosives containment box

Fiber optic camera

Portable X-ray



Raman versus Trace

Raman Spectroscopy Identification

• Used to identify bulk liquids and solid materials that are visible to the human eye

• Raman spectroscopy has extremely high accuracy and very low false alarm rate (< 1%)

• Capable of identifying thousands of chemicals and mixtures

• Can identify raw materials used in manufacture of HMEs, not just finished explosives

• FirstDefender is field instrument, rugged and decon-able

• Ready to go – no warm up time required

• No consumables• FD can be upgraded in the

field with new library items as new threats emerge

IMS Trace Detection

• Used to identify the presence of trace explosives that cannot be seen

• High nuisance alarm rate (~10%) and cannot be used on bulk quantities (will saturate the detector)

• Only identifies finished explosives• Can identify 5 – 10 single

chemicals• Not typically decon-able• Dopant and dessicant

consumables typically required• ~2 - 24 hour warm up time



Bomb Technician – Critical Needs

Bomb Technicians

Military Public Safety

HazMat - JPEOBomb Squads

- JIEDOFire Dept –

HazMatLaw

Enforcement

Outside the U.S. bomb technicians are typically under the central military group

Portable – Rugged Design

Easy to Use

Requires Minimal Training

Low Maintenance

Out of the Box Ready

Reliable

Rapid Response

Remote Scanning



Explosives 101



Explosives Overview

BombClassification

Model

Ordnance

bombs built in factories

ImprovisedExplosive Devices

IEDs

(bombs built by individuals)

Primary Secondary Nitrates Peroxides Precursors

All bomb technicians are trained at the Hazardous Device School (FBI Sponsored)



Commercial High Explosives (Ordnance)

Primary ExplosivesVery sensitive explosives used in detonators

Lead Azide Lead Styphnate Mercury Fulminate Diasodintitrophenol (DDNP) Tetrazene

Secondary ExplosivesMostly insensitive and require a booster or detonator to initiate

Ammonium Nitrate Trinitroltoluene (TNT) Petaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) Cyclo-Trimethylene Trinitramine (RDX) Dynamite

EmulsionWater based explosives solutions of oxidizers and fuel, typically contains ammonium nitrate

BoostersExplosive charge with high detonation velocity, used to amplify the primary explosive

Sheet ExplosivesFlexible and moldable high explosives with mixtures of PETN or RDX and nitrocellulose

SemtexHighly moldable, plastic explosives manufactured in Czech Republic containing RDX and PETN, sometimes TNT with plasticizers

C-4Composition 4, WWII, white, odorlesss, moldable containing RDX and plasticizers



Explosives Substance Overview - IEDPeroxide Explosives

• TATP – Triacetone Triperoxide(Acetone, Hydrogen Peroxide, Strong Acid)

• HMTD – Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine(Hexamine, Hydrogen Peroxide, Citric Acid)

• MEKP – Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide (Methyl ethyl ketone, Hydrogen Peroxide, Strong Acid)

Nitrated Explosives

• NG – Nitroglycerin(Glycerin, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid)

• EGDN – Ethylene Glycol Dinitrate(Ethylene Glycol, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid)

• Methyl Nitrate(Methyl Alcohol, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid)

• Urea Nitrate (Urea, Nitric Acid)

• Nitrocellulose (Gun Cotton)(Cotton, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid)

Common Precursors

• Strong Acids • Sulfuric ‘battery’ H2SO4

• Nitric HNO3

• Hydrochloric ‘ Muriatic HCl

• Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2

• Urea

• Acetone

• Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)

• Alcohol

• Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze)

• Glycerin (Glycreol)

• Hexamine (Camp Stove Tablets)

• Citric Acid (sour salt)

A variety of chemical precursors can be reacted together to create explosives

X

X



Explosives Substance Overview – Oxidizers - IEDOxidizer Names

• Perchlorate CLO4

• Chlorate CLO3

• Hypochlorite OCl

• Nitrate NO3

• Peroxide O2

• Permanganate MnO4

• Iodate IO3

• Chromate CrO4

• Dichromate Cr2O7

Oxidizers serve as a source of oxygen or can be blended with fuels in IED mixtures

Reactive Elements combined with Oxidizers• Sodium (Na)

• Potassium (K)

• Barium (Ba)

• Calcium (Ca)

• Ammonium (NH4)

• Lithium (Li)

• Strontium (Sr)

• Lead (Pb)

• Silver (Ag)

• Hydrogen (H)

Oxidizer Compounds• Ammonium Perchlorate NH4CLO4

• Sodium Chlorate NaCLO3

• Calcium Hypochlorite Ca(OCl)2

• Ammonium Nitrate NH4NO3

• Potassium Nitrate KNO3

• Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2

• Barium Peroxide BaO2

• Potassium Permanganate KMnO4

• Lead Iodate Pb(IO3)2

• Lithium Chromate Li2CrO42H2O

• Potassium Dichromate K2Cr2O7

Nitrate Blends

• ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate, Diesel Fuel)• ANAI (Ammonium Nitrate, Aluminum Powder)• ANS (Ammonium Nitrate, Sulfur Powder)• ANIS (Ammonium Nitrate, Icing Sugar)• Black Powder (Potassium Nitrate, Charcoal, Sulfur)

Chlorate / Perchlorate Blends

• Flash Powder (Potassium Chlorate, Aluminum Powder, Mg Powder, Sulfur)

• Poor Man’s C-4 (Potassium Chlorate, Vaseline)• Armstrong’s Mixture (K-Chlorate, Red

Phosphorous)X

X



FirstDefender&

Use Scenarios



FirstDefender Explosives Identification Hand Held Chemical Identification System

• > 6500 Substance Library• Explosives & Precursors• CWA and Industrial Chemicals

Simple User Interface• Designed for Tactical Field User• Point & Shoot, Vial or Flex Probe Mode• Samples Through Containers

Quick – Accurate Response• Unknown substance is scanned with 785nm laser – scattered light is measured and

compared to library of chemical spectrum• Capable of identifying mixtures

Light Weight – Ergonomic Design• < 4 pounds• Rugged exterior can be submerged and decon’d



Principles of Operation Detection Method – Raman Spectroscopy

• No Sample Handling or Preparation

• Designed for tactical, point and shoot applications

• Unaffected by Strong IR Absorbers (Water, CO2, Glass)

• Excitation Wavelength Can Penetrate Container Materials

Beer bottles, wine bottles, water bottles, zip-lock bags, etc.

• Unique spectrally rich signature for identification

Limitations

• Does not penetrate opaque containers

• Dark colored solid materials, black powder

• Fluorescence can limit household product identification

• Fluorescence can increase measurement time



Vial Point-and-Shoot

Use ModesUse Modes

Ideal when environment does not allow for point and shoot, and for when sampling is done for evidence

collectionUse caution on dark colored substances

Flex Probe

Ideal when you do not want to open

container

Best Tactical Sampling Option

Ideal for hard to reach locations, and

for freeing hands and fixing probe on

sample

Sample Time will be longer than point and

shoot



What can Raman “see” through?

Can laser light get through it?

YesTransparent or Translucent

NoOpaque



Call to action simple results

Good result always confirm with other info and technologies

Poor spectra, complex mixture, poor sampling, difficult sample, fluorescence could give this result

See if spectra was acquired – call for Reachback support - Ahura 911

Good result always be aware of what a mixture means to other technologies



Tactical Advantages

Applications

Analyze Unknown’s in Their Container

Analyze Unknowns Without Handling

Possible to Analyze Outside of Hot Zone



Typical Scenario for Potential Explosive Threats

CHALLENGE: Identify unknown chemicals

• Increased Risk/Exposure

• Delayed Decision Making

• Resource drain

• Unstable/Toxic Sample

• Still unknown chemical

• Takes time/delays operations

• Destroys evidence

• Detonating unknown

• Bad public relations

Drawbacks

Wait on Scene

Collect/Transport Sample

Blow-and-Go

Responder’s Options• Limited data

• Limited equipment

• Limited time



Proposed Solution

Technology allows paradigm shift in field identification tactics

On scene Commander

Declare Non-Threat

Blow-and-Go

Retain sample

• Understand threat

• Retains evidence

• Quickly assume operations

• No extra resources needed

• Clear scene

• Collect evidence

• Safely detonate

• Continue operations

Increased Troop

ProtectionSituation Awareness

• Instant data• Real time decisionsFirstDefender Immediate

IdentificationConclusion

Increased Operator

Protection



Home Made Explosives (HME) One of the greatest challenges for EOD

•Easy to Make – Internet Recipes

Can be extremely sensitive, rough handling may cause detonation

The FirstDefender can scan through translucent containers

Allows you to take a scan without disturbing the sample

Most of the known precursors for HME are detectable by the FirstDefender

•Hydrogen Peroxide•Sulfuric Acid•Acetone



Scenarios

Clandestine Laboratories• Home made Laboratory discovered in residence or

abandoned building filled with unlabeled flasks and containers

• Could be narcotics, explosives or benign liquids• Taking a sample can risk detonation• FirstDefender’s ability to sample through

containers facilitates non-contact sampling

Methamphetamine Labs• Home made drug labs is residence or buildings• Many dangerous toxic chemicals and booby traps• Possible chemical vapor spread in detonation

Post Blast• Residual Material from an explosion scene can be

scanned to identify the remaining explosive material

• Cannot identify ash or post-explosive material• Chemical enhancers and precursors can be tested

as well



Success Stories



U.S. State & Local Orlando International Airport April, 2008

• “A Jamaican planning to board a flight at Orlando International Airport was detained and questioned by FBI agents Tuesday after they found components for pipe bombs and explosive and flammable liquids in his checked luggage…….including two vodka bottles with flammable nitro methane” Orlando Sentinel, June 23, 2008

• “I definitely want to commend AHURA on its ease of access to the analyzed data” Law Enforcement official onsite at the incident

Key Customers• St. Paul MN PD Bomb Squad • Oklahoma Highway Patrol• Albuquerque Police Dept• Tampa International Airport Police Explosives unit • Tallahassee Bomb Squad• Florida Fire Marshall's office• Massachusetts State Police EOD• Austin Police Dept



U.S. Federal Military

U.S. Military FirstDefender Customer• “To whom it may concern, my team is currently deployed to

Iraq. We use your FirstDefender on most every mission. It is one of the best if not the best instruments we use. I am in need of a price list for all of the expendable items that you have listed on your website under Parts and Accessories. If you could send me the prices I would appreciate it. Thank You”

Key Customers• U.S. Military (Air Force, Army, Marine Corp, National Guard) • Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives• Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border

Protection• Federal Bureau of Investigation• Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco



International

Canadian Department of Defense

Japanese Ministry of Defense

United Kingdom MOD

China Olympics

Israel Military



Key Partnerships – U.S. ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agency within

the Dept of Justice)• Provides Training to Bomb Techs ATF Teams• FirstDefender incorporated into training curriculum

HDS (Hazardous Device School for FBI)• All certified bomb technicians attend HDS• FirstDefender incorporated into training curriculum

NBRCT (Louisiana State University) (National Center for Biomedical Research & Training Academy of

Counter-Terrorist Education) http://www.ncbrt.lsu.edu/

IABTI Recommended Product List• International Association of Bomb Technicians - pending approval

Tom Thurman • Former FBI Agent and Director of Explosives Center• 3rd party performance and capability testing complete



Key Partnership Targets – International

DSTL Defense Science & Technology LaboratoryUK

HOSDB Home Office Scientific Development BranchUK

• IEDs for Police

London Metropolitan Police

BKA Bundeskriminalamt Germany• National Investigative Police Agency (Federal Ministry of the

Interior)



500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

TATP (triacetone triperoxide)

MEKP (methylethylketone peroxide)

HMTD (hexamethylene triperoxidediamine)

Raman shift ( cm-1)

O

O

O

O

CH3CH3

OOCH3

CH3CH3

CH3

O

N

O O

O

NOO

O

OCH3

CH3

OH OH

Spectra for explosives: Peroxide-basedSpectra for explosives: Peroxide-based

© ahura scientific, inc. 2007 firstdefender explosives application overview october 08

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