On the use of capillary electrophoresis for the determination of inorganic anions and cations, and carbohydrates in residues collected after a simulated suicide bombing attack

In order to train scientist field investigators after terrorist attacks, the laboratory of the Prefecture de Police of Paris simulated a suicide bombing attack in a bus. After collection of the residues, analyses were carried out to determine the composition of the original explosive charge. This article focuses on the combined use, for the first time, of three new capillary electrophoresis methods for the determination of inorganic anions and cations, and carbohydrates in two representative extracts. Capillary electrophoresis appears as an effective tool to identify and quantify the compounds in real extracts and is fully complementary to chromatographic methods.

► Three CE methods were involved all together for the first time for the study of residues.
► Nitrate anions appeared in both extracts.
► Ammonium cation appeared as the main inorganic cation in both extracts.
► Sucrose, plus fructose and glucose (coming from sucrose degradation) were detected.
► Results were consistent with an explosive composition based on NH4NO3 and sucrose.