FirstDefender
Explosives Application Overview
October 08
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
Explosives Applications
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Domestic Terrorism
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Border Crossings
Critical Infrastructure
Liquid Explosives / Checkpoint Screening
Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)
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Home Made Explosives (HME) - Wartime
Manufacturing Process
Chemical Hazards
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Common Industrial Chemicals
Clandestine Laboratories
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© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Typical Scenario for Potential Explosive Threats
CHALLENGE: Identify unknown chemicals
• Limited data
• Limited equipment
Responder’s
Options
• Limited time
Collect/Transport
Sample
Blow-and-Go
• Increased Risk/Exposure
• Unstable/Toxic Sample
• Destroys evidence
• Delayed Decision Making
• Still unknown chemical
• Detonating unknown
• Resource drain
• Takes time/delays operations
• Spread chem hazard
Wait on Scene
Drawbacks
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Slide 3
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Bomb Tech’s Technology Toolbox
Explosives containment
box
Portable X-ray
Bomb Suit
Radio Frequency
Jammers
Vapor / Particulate
Robots
Chemical (Solid & Liquid)
Fiber optic camera
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Slide 4
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Raman versus Trace
 Raman Spectroscopy Identification
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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
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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
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Slide 5
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Bomb Technician – Critical Needs
Bomb
Technicians
 Portable – Rugged Design
 Easy to Use
 Requires Minimal Training
 Low Maintenance
 Out of the Box Ready
Military
Public Safety
 Reliable
 Rapid Response
 Remote Scanning
HazMat - JPEO
Bomb Squads
- JIEDO
Fire Dept –
HazMat
Law
Enforcement
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Outside the U.S. bomb technicians
are typically
under the central military group
© Ahura Scientific,
Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Slide 6
Explosives 101
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Slide 7
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Explosives Overview
Bomb
Classification
Model
Improvised
Explosive
Devices
IEDs
Ordnance
bombs built
in factories
Primary
(bombs built
by individuals)
Secondary
Nitrates
Peroxides
Precursors
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All bomb technicians are trained
at the
Hazardous
Device School (FBI Sponsored)
© Ahura
Scientific,
Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Slide 8
Commercial High Explosives (Ordnance)
Secondary Explosives
Primary Explosives
Very sensitive explosives used in detonators
Mostly insensitive and require a booster or
detonator to initiate
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Lead Azide
Lead Styphnate
Mercury Fulminate
Diasodintitrophenol (DDNP)
Tetrazene
Ammonium Nitrate
Trinitroltoluene (TNT)
Petaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN)
Cyclo-Trimethylene Trinitramine (RDX)
Dynamite
Emulsion
Semtex
Water based explosives solutions of oxidizers and fuel,
typically contains ammonium nitrate
Highly moldable, plastic explosives manufactured in
Czech Republic containing RDX and PETN, sometimes
TNT with plasticizers
Boosters
Explosive charge with high detonation velocity, used to
amplify the primary explosive
C-4
Composition 4, WWII, white, odorlesss, moldable
containing RDX and plasticizers
Sheet Explosives
Flexible and moldable high explosives with mixtures of
PETN or RDX and nitrocellulose
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Slide 9
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Explosives Substance Overview - IED
Nitrated Explosives
Peroxide Explosives
• NG – Nitroglycerin
• TATP – Triacetone Triperoxide
(Glycerin, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid)
(Acetone, Hydrogen Peroxide, Strong Acid)
• HMTD – Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine
(Hexamine, Hydrogen Peroxide, Citric Acid)
• EGDN – Ethylene Glycol Dinitrate
(Ethylene Glycol, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid)
• Methyl Nitrate
• MEKP – Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide
(Methyl ethyl ketone, Hydrogen Peroxide, Strong Acid)
(Methyl Alcohol, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid)
• Urea Nitrate
(Urea, Nitric Acid)
• Nitrocellulose (Gun Cotton) X
(Cotton, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid)
Common Precursors
• Strong Acids
• Sulfuric ‘battery’ H2SO4
• Nitric HNO3
• Hydrochloric ‘ Muriatic HCl X
• 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
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Slide 10
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© Ahura Scientific 2008
Explosives Substance Overview – Oxidizers - IED
Oxidizer Names
• Perchlorate CLO4
• Chlorate CLO3
• Hypochlorite OCl
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Nitrate NO3
Peroxide O2
Permanganate MnO4
Iodate IO3
Chromate CrO4
Dichromate Cr2O7
Reactive Elements
combined with
Oxidizers
Oxidizer Compounds
• Strontium (Sr)
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• Lead (Pb)
• Lithium Chromate Li2CrO42H2O
• Silver (Ag)
• Potassium Dichromate K2Cr2O7
• Sodium (Na)
• Potassium (K)
• Barium (Ba)
• Calcium (Ca)
• Ammonium (NH4)
• Lithium (Li)
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
• Hydrogen (H)
Oxidizers serve as a source of oxygen or can be blended with fuels in IED mixtures
Nitrate Blends
Chlorate / Perchlorate Blends
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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) X
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Flash Powder (Potassium Chlorate, Aluminum
X
Powder, Mg Powder, Sulfur)
Poor Man’s C-4 (Potassium Chlorate, Vaseline)
Armstrong’s Mixture (K-Chlorate, Red
Phosphorous)
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© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
FirstDefender
&
Use Scenarios
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Slide 12
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
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
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Slide 13
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Principles of Operation
 Detection Method – Raman Spectroscopy
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No Sample Handling or Preparation
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Designed for tactical, point and shoot applications
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Unaffected by Strong IR Absorbers (Water, CO2, Glass)
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Excitation Wavelength Can Penetrate Container Materials
 Beer bottles, wine bottles, water bottles, zip-lock bags, etc.
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Unique spectrally rich signature for identification
 Limitations
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Does not penetrate opaque containers
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Dark colored solid materials, black powder
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Fluorescence can limit household product identification
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Fluorescence can increase measurement time
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Slide 14
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Use Modes
Vial
Ideal when
environment does
not allow for point
and shoot, and for
when sampling is
done for evidence
collection
Use caution on dark
colored substances
Point-and-Shoot
Flex Probe
Ideal when you do
not want to open
container
Ideal for hard to
reach locations, and
for freeing hands
and fixing probe on
sample
Best Tactical
Sampling Option
Sample Time will be
longer than point and
shoot
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Slide 15
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
What can Raman “see” through?
Can laser light get through it?
Yes
No
Transparent or Translucent
Opaque
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Slide 16
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Call to action simple results
Good result always confirm with
other info and technologies
Good result always be aware of what a
mixture means to other 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
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Slide 17
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Tactical Advantages
Applications
Analyze Unknowns Without Handling
Analyze Unknown’s in Their Container
Possible to Analyze Outside of Hot Zone
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Slide 18
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Typical Scenario for Potential Explosive Threats
CHALLENGE: Identify unknown chemicals
• Limited data
• Limited equipment
Responder’s
Options
• Limited time
Collect/Transport
Sample
Blow-and-Go
• Increased Risk/Exposure
• Unstable/Toxic Sample
• Destroys evidence
• Delayed Decision Making
• Still unknown chemical
• Detonating unknown
• Resource drain
• Takes time/delays operations
• Bad public relations
Wait on Scene
Drawbacks
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Slide 19
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Proposed Solution
Technology allows paradigm shift in field identification tactics
FirstDefender
• Instant data
• Real time decisions
Immediate
Identification
Conclusion
Increased
Increased
Troop
Operator
Protection
Protection
Situation Awareness
On scene
Commander
Declare NonThreat
Blow-and-Go
Retain sample
• Quickly assume operations
• Collect evidence
• No extra resources needed
• Understand threat
• Safely detonate
• Clear scene
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• Continue operations
Retains evidence
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Slide 20
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
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
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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
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Slide 21
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Scenarios
 Clandestine Laboratories
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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
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Home made drug labs is residence or buildings
Many dangerous toxic chemicals and booby traps
Possible chemical vapor spread in detonation
 Post Blast
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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
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© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Success Stories
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Slide 23
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
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
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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
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Slide 24
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
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
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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
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Slide 25
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
International
 Canadian Department of Defense
 Japanese Ministry of Defense
 United Kingdom MOD
 China Olympics
 Israel Military
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Slide 26
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Key Partnerships – U.S.
 ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agency within
the Dept of Justice)
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Provides Training to Bomb Techs ATF Teams
FirstDefender incorporated into training curriculum
 HDS (Hazardous Device School for FBI)
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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
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International Association of Bomb Technicians - pending approval
 Tom Thurman
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Former FBI Agent and Director of Explosives Center
3rd party performance and capability testing complete
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Slide 27
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Key Partnership Targets – International
 DSTL
Defense Science & Technology Laboratory
 HOSDB Home Office Scientific Development Branch
UK
UK
• IEDs for Police
 London Metropolitan Police
 BKA
Bundeskriminalamt
Germany
• National Investigative Police Agency (Federal Ministry of the Interior)
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Slide 28
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008
Spectra for explosives: Peroxide-based
CH3
H3C
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 TATP (triacetone triperoxide)
O
O
O
O
CH3
H3C
O
H3C
 MEKP (methylethylketone peroxide)
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O
CH3
H3C
O
HO
OH
O
 HMTD (hexamethylene triperoxidediamine)
CH3
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O
O
O
N
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
O
3000
O
Raman shift (D
N
O
cm-1)
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Slide 29
© Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
© Ahura Scientific 2008