FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, December 1, 2020 1

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Identifying Post-blast Residue of Liquid Explosives

Keyword(s): Explosives, Post-blast Residue, Hydrogen Peroxide, Nitromethane

Submitting subcommittee(s): Ignitable Liquids, Explosives, & 

Gunshot Residue

Date Approved: 3/02/2021

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

Yes – Post-blast analysis guide. 

Explosions and detonations can produce temperatures of thousands of degrees. As a result, there may be no 

intact explosive remaining in the post-blast residue. This is especially true with low-molecular weight explosives

or explosive components, such as liquids (e.g., hydrogen peroxide, nitromethane, ethylene glycol dinitrate). The 

presence of unreacted material present post blast is dependent on a number of variables including degree of 

confinement, method of initiation and stoichiometry of the original explosive materials. There is a need to 

determine under what conditions liquid explosives survive detonation, identify where they or their residues are

most likely to be found at post-blast scenes, determine the optimal methods to preserve, extract, and identify 

these material, and, if the intact explosive does not survive, establish characteristic profiles that permit reliable 

identification.

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

No.

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

[1] Tarvin, M., McCord, B., Mount, K., Miller, M. “Analysis of hydrogen peroxide field samples by HPLC/FD and 

HPLC/ED in DC mode”. Forensic Science International (2011), 209(1-3), 166-172.

[1] Tarvin, M., McCord, B., Mount, K., Sherlach, K., Miller, M. “Optimization of two methods for the analysis of 

hydrogen peroxide: High performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and high performance 

liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection in direct current mode”. Journal of Chromatography A 

(2010), 1217(48)m 7564-7572.

[3] Wang, B., Lv, X., Feng, D., Xie, L., Zhang, J., Li, M., Xie, Y., Li, J., Zhou, H. “Highly stable Zr(IV)-Based MetalOrganic Frameworks for the Detection and Removal of Antibiotics and Organic Explosives in Water” Journal of 

the American Chemical Society (2016), 138(19), 6204-6216.
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[4] Kotrly, M., Eisner, A., Beroun, I., Ventura, K., Turková, I., “New possibilities of post-blast residues analysis in 

forensic science”, Proc. SPIE 11012, Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets 

XXIV, 1101212 (10 May 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2519118

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

No.

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

Forensic analysts would be able to more reliably detect and identify liquid explosives in post-blast residue.

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

Forensic analysts would have a peer-reviewed document to cite as the scientific basis for the chemical 

identification of a liquid explosive in post-blast residue.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

Forensic analysts would be able to testify to the chemical identification of a liquid explosive in post-blast residue 

with higher confidence.

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): I

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.