Abstract:
An inspection tester system for testing for explosives. The tester includes a body and a swab unit adapted to be removeably connected to the body. At least one reagent holder and dispenser is operatively connected to the body. The reagent holder and dispenser contains an explosives detecting reagent and is positioned to deliver the explosives detecting reagent to the swab unit. A heater is operatively connected to the body and the swab unit is adapted to be operatively connected to the heater.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This invention is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/525,655 filed Sep. 21, 2006, and titled “Explosives Tester With Heater” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/733,150 filed Nov. 2, 2005 and titled “New Methods for Heating the Griess Reagent Reaction.” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/733,150 filed Nov. 2, 2005 and titled “New Methods for Heating the Griess Reagent Reaction” is incorporated herein by this reference. The following applications contain related subject matter and are owned by the common assignee, Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC for the operation of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/208,482, Filed Aug. 18, 2005 for colorimetric chemical analysis sampler for the presence of explosives; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/165,474, Filed Jun. 22, 2005, for Chemical Analysis Coupon for the Presence of Explosives; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/158,480, Filed Jun, 21,2005 for Chemical Analysis Kit for the Presence of Explosives; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/159,452, Filed Jun. 22, 2005 for Spot Test Kit for Explosives Detection; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/634,784, Filed Dec. 05, 2006 for Low to Moderate Temperature Nanolaminate Heater; which are incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. W-7405-ENG-48 between the United States Department of Energy and the University of California for the operation of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Endeavor 
     The present invention relates to explosives and more particularly to testing for the presence of explosives. 
     2. State of Technology 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,166 for an apparatus and method for rapid detection of explosives residue from the deflagration signature thereof issued Jun. 10, 1997 to Herbert O. Funsten and David J. McComas and assigned to The Regents of the University of California provides the following state of the art information: “Explosives are a core component of nuclear, biological, chemical and conventional weapons, as well as of terrorist devices such as car, luggage, and letter bombs. Current methods for detecting the presence of explosives include vapor detection, bulk detection, and tagging. However, these methods have significant difficulties dependent upon the nature of the signature that is detected. . . . It is known that surfaces in contact with explosives (for example, during storage, handling, or device fabrication) will readily become contaminated with explosive particulates as a result of their inherent stickiness. This phenomenon is illustrated in studies that show large persistence of explosives on hands, even after several washings (J. D. Twibell et al., ‘Transfer of Nitroglycerine to Hands During Contact with Commercial Explosives,’ J. Forensic Science 27 (1982) 783; J. D. Twibell et al., ‘The Persistence of Military Explosives on Hands,’ J. Forensic Science 29 (1984)284). Furthermore, cross contamination in which a secondary surface is contaminated by contact with a contaminated primary surface can also readily occur. For example, a measurable amount of ammonium nitrate (AN) residue has been found on the lease documents for a rental truck, and significant amounts of the explosives PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) and/or AN have been found on clothing and inside vehicles of suspects in two well-publicized bombings. Therefore, explosive residue will likely persist in large amounts on the explosive packaging and environs, as well as on the individuals involved in building the explosive device, which can provide an avenue for detection of the presence of explosives.” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,584 for a method for chemical detection issued Oct. 2, 1997 to Daryl Sunny Mileaf and Noe Esau Rodriquez, II provides the following state of the art information: “a method for detecting a target substance which includes collecting a substance sample; introducing the substance sample into a substance card having at least one preselected reagent responsive to the presence of the target substance and having a light-transmissive chamber; and inserting the substance card into a substance detector device having a photosensor and adapted to receive the substance card. Once the substance detector card has been inserted into the substance detector, the method continues by mixing the substance sample with the preselected reagents for a preselected mixing period, thus producing a measurand having a target substance reaction.” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,730 for a dry transfer method for the preparation of explosives test samples issued Oct. 29, 2002 to Robert T. Chamberlain and assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Transportation provides the following state of the art information: “ . . . method of preparing samples for testing explosive and drug detectors of the type that search for particles in air. A liquid containing the substance of interest is placed on a flexible Teflon® surface and allowed to dry, then the Teflon® surface is rubbed onto an item that is to be tested for the presence of the substance of interest. The particles of the substance of interest are transferred to the item but are readily picked up by an air stream or other sampling device and carried into the detector.” 
     SUMMARY 
     Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. Applicants are providing this description, which includes drawings and examples of specific embodiments, to give a broad representation of the invention. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this description and by practice of the invention. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed and the invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. 
     The ability to identify unknown explosives is of utmost importance to the military, law enforcement and Homeland Security forces worldwide. Spot tests for the identification of explosives have been used in combination with thin-layer chromatography and in forensic analysis. There are some commercial companies (Mistral, Securesearch, Duram products) that produce explosives identification kits. They incorporate color reagents and are used by the military and law-enforcement agencies. They allow the identification of nitroaromatics, nitramines, ammonium nitrate, and recently the potassium chlorate-based explosives. Ex-spray and Duram products are two of the companies. Their systems are available as spray kits or solution-drop kits. 
     The present invention provides an inspection tester system for testing for explosives. The system comprises a body, a swab unit adapted to be removeably connected to the body, at least one explosives detecting reagent, at least one reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to the body, the at least one reagent holder and dispenser containing the at least one explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver the at least one explosives detecting reagent to the swab unit, and a heater operatively connected to the body, wherein the swab unit is adapted to be operatively connected to the heater. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one explosives detecting reagent is the Griess reagent. The key to some of the explosive testing kits described above is the Griess reagent. Known since 1879, the Griess reagent reacts with nitrogen oxide compounds, whether bound or free, and produces a highly colored compound that can be used for visible detection. This compound has been shown to be an effective indicator for not only high explosives, but other source of nitrogen oxides, such as biological systems. 
     The Griess reagent reacts adequately with several high explosives when the explosives are at high concentrations. At low concentrations however, the Griess reagent requires heating to drive the reaction for detection. Heating can easily be done in the laboratory setting with standard laboratory equipment such as a hot plate. This heating is a limiting factor in using this reaction for detection when designing field usable equipment. In existing field portable detection technology, either the heating step must be accomplished or low detection limits are simply not achievable. Most field kits have realized much higher detection limits to retain simplicity, cost, and portability. A few have resorted to resistive heating with fairly large heating unit components, limiting portability and increasing costs. 
     To enable the Griess reagent to be used in very small, field portable, user friendly systems that are relatively low cost, innovative heating methods have been developed for the technology. These heating methods are departures from the standard laboratory resistive heating technology that is commonly used. They embody redesign of various forms of heating, resistive, combustion, and/or chemical for application to small field used detection systems. Both portability and ease of use are greatly improved with these new innovative designs and techniques. 
     The invention is susceptible to modifications and alternative forms. Specific embodiments are shown by way of example. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular forms disclosed. The invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the specific embodiments, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of an inspection tester for explosives constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a heater used in the inspection tester body. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the inspection tester body and batteries used in connection with the heater. 
         FIG. 4  shows the swab unit sample pad used with the inspection tester body. 
         FIG. 5  shows the swab unit sample pad in position in the inspection tester body for testing a sample. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of an inspection tester for explosives constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a heater used in the inspection tester body. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of an inspection tester for explosives constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of the inspection tester. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, to the following detailed description, and to incorporated materials, detailed information about the invention is provided including the description of specific embodiments. The detailed description serves to explain the principles of the invention. The invention is susceptible to modifications and alternative forms. The invention is not limited to the particular forms disclosed. The invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5  of the drawings, one embodiment of an inspection tester for explosives constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral  100 . The inspection tester  100  is an all-inclusive, inexpensive, and disposable device. The inspection tester can be used anywhere as a primary screening tool by non-technical personnel to determine whether a surface contains explosives. The inspection tester  100  is particularly useful to first responders, military, law enforcement and Homeland Security personnel. 
     The inspection tester  100  comprises an explosives tester body  101  and a removable swab unit  104  adapted to be removably positioned in the explosives tester body  101 .  FIG. 1  shows the inspection tester body  101 .  FIG. 2  shows the heater  102  used in the inspection tester body  101 .  FIG. 3  shows a side view of the inspection tester body  101  and show batteries  103  used in connection with the heater  102 .  FIG. 4  shows the swab unit sample pad  104  used with the inspection tester body  101 .  FIG. 5  shows the swab unit sample pad  104  in position in the inspection tester body  101  for testing a sample. 
     The inspection tester  100  provides a small, disposable, one use system. The inspection tester  100  uses a simple and rapid method of operation. The removable swab unit sample pad  104  shown in  FIG. 4  is exposed to a suspect substance. This may be accomplished by the swab unit sample pad  104  being swiped across a surface containing the suspect substance or the swab unit pad  104  may be exposed to the suspect substance in other ways such as adding the suspect substance to the swab unit sample pad  104 . The swab unit sample pad  104  is then placed in the inspection tester body  101  for testing a sample as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the explosives tester body  101  is a thin flat body that can be described as a card. The card body  101  is made of a suitable material such as paper, wood, plastic, glass, or other suitable material. The explosives tester body  101  is thin and is less than one fourth inch thick. The explosives tester body  101  shown in  FIG. 1  is less than one fourth inch thick. The explosives tester body  101  includes a docking entry and retention portion  105  for easy docking of the removable swab unit sample pad  104 . The heater  102  is located in the docking entry and retention portion  105  so that the removable swab unit  104  will be positioned directly over the heater  102  when the removable swab unit  104  is placed in position for testing a sample. The explosives tester body  101  also includes ampoule A  106  and ampoule B  107 . In various embodiments, ampoule A  106  and ampoule B  107  are breakable ampoules, breakable glass ampoules, squeezable ampoules, and other types of ampoules. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , ampoule A  106  includes indentations  108  on the chamber which keeps glass pieces from adhering to the walls. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the heater  102  used in the inspection tester body  101  is shown in greater detail. The heater  102  is a resistive heater with a heating element  109  that changes temperature due to resistance and a controller that regulates the heating and keeps the system from over heating, as well as indicating when the appropriate temperature has been reached. Other resistive heating elements can be used for the heater  102 . The key part of the heater  102  is that the heating unit utilizes electrical resistance that generates heat. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , a side view of the inspection tester body  101  is shown and the batteries  103  that are used in connection with the heater  102  are illustrated. The heater  102  has a heating element that changes temperature due to resistance, a controller that regulates the heating and keeps the system from over heating, as well as indicating when the appropriate temperature has been reached; a power source, in this case a battery pack  103 , but in alternate schemes a step down system from household power can be used; a switch to control the system. Other designs include resistive heater coils placed directly into the explosives tester body  101  with wire leads to an external power supply such as a battery pack. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the removable swab unit  104  is shown in greater detail. A tab area  111  is provided so that the swab unit  104  can be easily inserted and removed from the explosives tester body  101 . The removable swab unit  104  includes a color reaction area  112 . The color reaction area  112  can be a lateral flow membrane. The lateral flow membrane  112  comprises a microporous membrane that provides migration of fluids from ampoule A  106  and fluids from ampoule B  107 . Lateral flow membranes are known for their use in other fields such as blotting techniques, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing, and lateral-flow immunochromatographic tests. The lateral flow membrane is a Porex Lateral-Flo Membrane. The lateral flow membrane comprises polyethylene spheres fused into a Lateral-Flo™ membrane. Applicants experimentally determined that the properties of Porex make it an ideal swipe material for the inspection tester  100 . The lateral flow membrane is chemical resistant, withstands heat as high as 130° C., is durable, is inexpensive, can be cut to any size, and concentrates suspect materials along the solvent front making calorimetric detection limits. The lateral flow membrane provides a high surface area swipe for sample collection. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , the operation of the explosives tester  100  will be described. The removable swab unit  104  is shown positioned in the explosives tester body  101 . The heating element of the heater  102  is activated and the removable swab unit  104  will be heated as hereinafter described. 
     Ampoule A  106  and ampoule B  107  provide two reagent activation units. Ampoule A  106  (for reagent A) and ampoule B  107  (for reagent B) are operatively mounted on the explosives tester body  101 . The ampoule A  106  containing the first explosives detecting reagent A is positioned to deliver the first explosives detecting reagent A to the color reaction area  112  of the removable swab unit  104 . The Ampoule B  107  containing the second explosives detecting reagent B is positioned to deliver the second explosives detecting reagent B to the color reaction area  112  of the removable swab unit  104 . The reagent A contains Meisenheimer complexes. The reagent B provides a Griess reaction. The Meisenheimer complexes and Griess reaction are well known in the art and need not be described here. 
     The inspection tester  100  uses a simple and rapid procedure summarized by the following four step operation: 
     STEP 1) A suspect surface is swiped with the removable swab unit sample pad  104 . This may be accomplished by the swab unit sample pad  104  being swiped across a surface containing the suspect substance or the swab unit pad  104  may be exposed to the suspect substance in other ways such as adding the suspect substance to the swab unit sample pad  104 . This will cause any explosives residue to be collected and held by the swab unit sample pad  104 . 
     STEP 2) The breakable or squeezable ampoule A  106  is located in a position to deliver the first explosives detecting reagent A to the color reaction area  112  of the removable swab unit  104 . The breakable or squeezable ampoule A  106  is pressed to break or squeeze it thereby dispensing reagent A onto the color reaction area  112  of the removable swab unit  104 . The regent A contacts any explosives residue that has been collected by the swab unit sample pad  104 . The color reaction area  112  of the removable swab unit  104  concentrates suspect materials along the solvent front. If the swab unit sample pad  104  becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative to this point. 
     STEP 3) If STEP 2 is negative to this point, the heater  102  is activated. This causes the swab unit sample pad  104 , reagent A, and any explosives residue to become heated. If the swab unit sample pad  104  now becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative to this point. 
     STEP 4) The breakable or squeezable ampoule B  107  is located in a position to deliver the second explosives detecting reagent B to the color reaction area  112  of the removable swab unit  104 . If STEP 3 is negative to this point, the breakable or squeezable ampoule B  107  is pressed to brake or squeeze it thereby dispensing reagent B onto the color reaction area  112  of the removable swab unit  104 . The regent B contacts any explosives residue that has been collected by the swab unit sample pad  104 . The color reaction area  112  of the removable swab unit  104  concentrates suspect materials along the solvent front. If the swab unit sample pad  104  becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative to this point. 
     STEP 5) If STEP 4 is negative to this point, the heater  102  is activated. This causes the swab unit sample pad  104 , reagent B, and any explosives residue to become heated. If the swab unit sample pad  104  now becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative. 
     The inspection tester  100  provides a simple, chemical, field spot-test by to provide a rapid screen for the presence of a broad range of explosive residues. The lateral flow membrane of the color reaction area  112  of the removable swab unit  104  is microporous cellulose nitrate membrane that provides migration of the fluids from ampoule A  106  and ampoule B  107 . The lateral flow membrane concentrates suspect materials along the solvent front. This concentration makes the explosives tester  100  more sensitive because by concentrating any explosives particles along the solvent front a larger amount of materials in one place. The color that will be produced by the reagents from ampoule A  106  and ampoule B  107  will be easier to see. 
     The inspection tester  100  is fast, extremely sensitive, low-cost, very easy to implement, and provides a very low rate of false positives. The inspection tester for explosives  100  provides a fast, sensitive, low-cost, very easy to implement system for testing the suspected packages. The inspection tester for explosives  100  is inexpensive and disposable. The inspection tester for explosives  100  has detection limits between 0.1 to 100 nanograms, depending on the type of explosives present. A large number of common military and industrial explosives can be easily detected such as HMX, RDX, NG, TATB, Tetryl, PETN, TNT, DNT, TNB, DNB and NC. The inspection tester  100  is small enough that a number of them can fit in a pocket or brief case. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of an inspection tester for explosives constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral  600 . The inspection tester  600  is an all-inclusive, inexpensive, and disposable device. The inspection tester can be used anywhere as a primary screening tool by non-technical personnel to determine whether a surface contains explosives. The inspection tester  600  is particularly useful to first responders, military, law enforcement and Homeland Security personnel. 
     The inspection tester  600  comprises an explosives tester body  601  and a removable swab unit, such as the swab unit shown in  FIG. 4 , adapted to be removably positioned in the explosives tester body  601 . A heater  602  is located in the inspection tester body  601 . 
     The heater  602  is a heater that operates through chemical heating. The key part of this heat  602  is that chemical reactions generate the heat. The heater  602  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 7 . The heater  602  is made of a nanolaminate chemical heating unit. A sandwich of aluminum  603  and nickel  604  have nanolaminate chemical heating material  605  inserted between the two pieces of metal to form an Al/Ni nanolaminate chemical heating unit. In this design, nanolaminate material  605  is inserted between the two pieces of metal to distribute the heat. This metal composite is then placed in the inspection tester body  601  in the docking and entry portion and will be located under the removable swab unit. 
     When the heating is needed, the nano-laminate is activated, generating heat that is distributed to the system. The nano-laminate configuration is one example of chemical heating. Other types that can be used in various designs for the detection system are chemical heating such as chemical hand warmers, chemical food warmers, etc. 
     In one embodiment of heater  602  illustrated in  FIG. 7 , an energetic nano-laminate material  605  is initiated by directing an electrical current through the energetic nanolaminate  605 . The system provides a system for bonding materials  603 ,  604 , and  605 . A first block  605  is bonded to a blocks  603  and  604 . A solder, brazing material, or other form of bonding material that is activated by heat is positioned between the first block  605  and the blocks  603  and  604 . For example, a first solder, brazing material, or other form of bonding material that is activated by heat and a second solder, brazing material, or other form of bonding material that is activated by heat are positioned between the first block  605  and the blocks  603  and  604 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , the operation of the explosives tester  600  will be described. The removable swab unit is shown positioned in the explosives tester body  601 . The chemical heating element of the heater  602  is activated and the removable swab unit will be heated as hereinafter described. 
     Ampoule A  606  and ampoule B  607  provide two reagent activation units. Ampoule A  606  (for reagent A) and ampoule B  607  (for reagent B) are operatively mounted on the explosives tester body  601 . The ampoule A  606  containing the first explosives detecting reagent A is positioned to deliver the first explosives detecting reagent A to the color reaction area  612  of the removable swab unit  604 . The Ampoule B  607  containing the second explosives detecting reagent B is positioned to deliver the second explosives detecting reagent B to the color reaction area of the removable swab unit. The reagent A contains Meisenheimer complexes. The reagent B provides a Griess reaction. The Meisenheimer complexes and Griess reaction are well known in the art and need not be described here. 
     The inspection tester  600  uses a simple and rapid procedure summarized by the following four step operation: 
     STEP 1) A suspect surface is swiped with the removable swab unit sample pad  604 . This may be accomplished by the swab unit sample pad being swiped across a surface containing the suspect substance or the swab unit pad may be exposed to the suspect substance in other ways such as adding the suspect substance to the swab unit sample pad. This will cause any explosives residue to be collected and held by the swab unit sample pad. 
     STEP 2) The breakable or squeezable ampoule A  606  is located in a position to deliver the first explosives detecting reagent A to the color reaction area of the removable swab unit. The breakable or squeezable ampoule A  606  is pressed to break or squeeze it thereby dispensing reagent A onto the color reaction area of the removable swab unit. The regent A contacts any explosives residue that has been collected by the swab unit sample pad. The color reaction area of the removable swab unit concentrates suspect materials along the solvent front. If the swab unit sample pad becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative to this point. 
     STEP 3) If STEP 2 is negative to this point, the heater  602  is activated. This causes the swab unit sample pad, reagent A, and any explosives residue to become heated. If the swab unit sample pad now becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative to this point. 
     STEP 4) The breakable or squeezable ampoule B  607  is located in a position to deliver the second explosives detecting reagent B to the color reaction area of the removable swab unit. If STEP 3 is negative to this point, the breakable or squeezable ampoule B  607  is pressed to brake or squeeze it thereby dispensing reagent B onto the color reaction area of the removable swab unit. The regent B contacts any explosives residue that has been collected by the swab unit sample pad. The color reaction area of the removable swab unit concentrates suspect materials along the solvent front. If the swab unit sample pad becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative to this point. 
     STEP 5) If STEP 4 is negative to this point, the heater  602  is activated. This causes the swab unit sample pad, reagent B, and any explosives residue to become heated. If the swab unit sample pad now becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative. 
     The inspection tester  600  provides a simple, chemical, field spot-test by to provide a rapid screen for the presence of a broad range of explosive residues. The lateral flow membrane of the color reaction area of the removable swab unit is microporous cellulose nitrate membrane that provides migration of the fluids from ampoule A  606  and ampoule B  607 . The lateral flow membrane concentrates suspect materials along the solvent front. This concentration makes the explosives tester  600  more sensitive because by concentrating any explosives particles along the solvent front a larger amount of materials in one place. The color that will be produced by the reagents from ampoule A  606  and ampoule B  607  will be easier to see. 
     The inspection tester  600  is fast, extremely sensitive, low-cost, very easy to implement, and provides a very low rate of false positives. The inspection tester for explosives  600  provides a fast, sensitive, low-cost, very easy to implement system for testing the suspected packages. The inspection tester for explosives  600  is inexpensive and disposable. The inspection tester for explosives  600  has detection limits between 0.1 to 100 nanograms, depending on the type of explosives present. A large number of common military and industrial explosives can be easily detected such as HMX, RDX, NG, TATB, Tetryl, PETN, TNT, DNT, TNB, DNB and NC. The inspection tester  600  is small enough that a number of them can fit in a pocket or brief case. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , another embodiment of an inspection tester for explosives constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral  800 . The inspection tester  800  is an all-inclusive, inexpensive, and disposable device. The inspection tester can be used anywhere as a primary screening tool by non-technical personnel to determine whether a surface contains explosives. The inspection tester  800  is particularly useful to first responders, military, law enforcement and Homeland Security personnel. 
     The inspection tester  800  comprises an explosives tester body  801  and a removable swab unit  802 , such as the swab unit shown in  FIG. 4 , adapted to be removably positioned in the explosives tester body  801 . A heater  803  is located in connection with the inspection tester body  801 . The heater  803  is a combustion heating system. The outline of a heat transfer area  804  is shown on the explosives tester body  801  beneath the removable swab unit  802 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a side view of the inspection tester  800  is shown. The combustion heater  803  is located in connection with the inspection tester body  801 . The combustion heater  803  heats the heat transfer area  804 . The combustion heater  803 , illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , has a combustion-heating source, in this case a cigarette lighter. It is understood that any commercial or specially designed combustion source can be used. The key part of the heater  803  system is that combustion generates the heat. The combustion source  803  is in contact with the heat distributor  804  that distributes the heat to the swab unit  802 . A temperature indicator strip is attached to enable monitoring of the heat. The lighter  803  is placed in a plastic framework  805  that positions it at the appropriate angle and distance from the heat distributor  804 . In this design, the lighter  803  is used. However, this is not to limit the source of combustion heat. Other systems such as combustion hand warmers, food warmers, for example can also be used. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 8 , the operation of the explosives tester  800  will be described. The removable swab unit  802  is shown positioned in the explosives tester body  801 . The heater  803  is activated and the removable swab unit will be heated as hereinafter described. 
     Ampoule A  806  and ampoule B  807  provide two reagent activation units. Ampoule A  806  (for reagent A) and ampoule B  807  (for reagent B) are operatively mounted on the explosives tester body  801 . The ampoule A  806  containing the first explosives detecting reagent A is positioned to deliver the first explosives detecting reagent A to the color reaction area  812  of the removable swab unit  804 . The Ampoule B  807  containing the second explosives detecting reagent B is positioned to deliver the second explosives detecting reagent B to the color reaction area of the removable swab unit. The reagent A contains Meisenheimer complexes. The reagent B provides a Griess reaction. The Meisenheimer complexes and Griess reaction are well known in the art and need not be described here. 
     The inspection tester  800  uses a simple and rapid procedure summarized by the following four step operation: 
     STEP 1) A suspect surface is swiped with the removable swab unit sample pad  804 . This may be accomplished by the swab unit sample pad being swiped across a surface containing the suspect substance or the swab unit pad may be exposed to the suspect substance in other ways such as adding the suspect substance to the swab unit sample pad. This will cause any explosives residue to be collected and held by the swab unit sample pad. 
     STEP 2) The breakable or squeezable ampoule A  806  is located in a position to deliver the first explosives detecting reagent A to the color reaction area of the removable swab unit. The breakable or squeezable ampoule A  806  is pressed to break or squeeze it thereby dispensing reagent A onto the color reaction area of the removable swab unit. The regent A contacts any explosives residue that has been collected by the swab unit sample pad. The color reaction area of the removable swab unit concentrates suspect materials along the solvent front. If the swab unit sample pad becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative to this point. 
     STEP 3) If STEP 2 is negative to this point, the heater  803  is activated. This causes the swab unit sample pad, reagent A, and any explosives residue to become heated. If the swab unit sample pad now becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative to this point. 
     STEP 4) The breakable or squeezable ampoule B  807  is located in a position to deliver the second explosives detecting reagent B to the color reaction area of the removable swab unit. If STEP 3 is negative to this point, the breakable or squeezable ampoule B  807  is pressed to brake or squeeze it thereby dispensing reagent B onto the color reaction area of the removable swab unit. The regent B contacts any explosives residue that has been collected by the swab unit sample pad. The color reaction area of the removable swab unit concentrates suspect materials along the solvent front. If the swab unit sample pad becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative to this point. 
     STEP 5) If STEP 4 is negative to this point, the heater  803  is activated. This causes the swab unit sample pad, reagent B, and any explosives residue to become heated. If the swab unit sample pad now becomes colored, the test is positive for explosives. If no color appears the test for explosives is negative. 
     The inspection tester  800  provides a simple, chemical, field spot-test by to provide a rapid screen for the presence of a broad range of explosive residues. The lateral flow membrane of the color reaction area of the removable swab unit is microporous cellulose nitrate membrane that provides migration of the fluids from ampoule A  806  and ampoule B  807 . The lateral flow membrane concentrates suspect materials along the solvent front. This concentration makes the explosives tester  800  more sensitive because by concentrating any explosives particles along the solvent front a larger amount of materials in one place. The color that will be produced by the reagents from ampoule A  806  and ampoule B  807  will be easier to see. 
     The inspection tester  800  is fast, extremely sensitive, low-cost, very easy to implement, and provides a very low rate of false positives. The inspection tester for explosives  800  provides a fast, sensitive, low-cost, very easy to implement system for testing the suspected packages. The inspection tester for explosives  800  is inexpensive and disposable. The inspection tester for explosives  800  has detection limits between 0.1 to 100 nanograms, depending on the type of explosives present. A large number of common military and industrial explosives can be easily detected such as HMX, RDX, NG, TATB, Tetryl, PETN, TNT, DNT, TNB, DNB and NC. The inspection tester  800  is small enough that a number of them can fit in a pocket or brief case. 
     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.