Analysis of high-explosive samples by Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

Abstract The application of spectroscopic techniques to the detection and identification of explosive materials is of considerable importance in forensic investigations. However, forensic scientists do not routinely use conventional Raman spectroscopy in their analysis. This is due to the problems of high background scatter and time-consuming sample alignment. The development of Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy has overcome these problems. Using this technique three samples of different batches of Semtex labelled Semtex A, Semtex B and Semtex C were analysed. Semtex A was found to contain the explosive cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), Semtex B contained pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) and Semtex C contained a mixture of RDX and PETN.