Asia PR News

SANDY BAY, Apr. 27/Medianet International-AsiaNet/ –

An Australian University has made a highly significant scientific
development which promises to assist police to more efficiently apprehend
terrorists responsible for bomb blasts using homemade explosives.

In a world first, the University of Tasmania has developed a portable
explosives “fingerprint” device which can process and analyse the complex
chemical residues from homemade bombs in minutes.

The briefcase size instrument, which works on a high voltage from a battery,
allows scientists to separate and identify the individual chemicals left in
complex residues after a bomb blast. These residues form a “fingerprint” which
is used to identify the explosive used.

The instrument was developed by a team of ten scientists in the extensive
laboratories of the Australian Centre for Research On Separation Science
(ACROSS), under funding from the Research Support for Counter Terrorism
Programme through the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australia. This
device will add an important new dimension to forensic investigations and
counter-terrorism measures.

Research leader, Dr Greg Dicinoski, said the “ACROSS Portable Explosive
Fingerprinter” device could give counter-terrorism authorities three distinct
advantages:

* It is portable and can be taken onto most bomb sites
* Samples can be analysed on-site from miniscule levels of chemical residues
* Investigators will have the results in minutes and can start pursuing
leads immediately

“This is a very exciting breakthrough for forensic science, and the
possibilities are enormous” Dr Dicinoski said.

“After a terrorist bombing, it can often take investigators considerable
time using laboratory tests to find exactly the kind of chemicals used to
create the bomb.

With the new portable technology it will be possible to identify the exact
homemade explosive used within minutes, thus allowing investigators to trace
large purchases of the particular chemicals involved.”

The portable analyser employs a narrow capillary (75 micro-metres wide –
about the diameter of 3 average human hairs). Small amounts of samples for
analysis are transported through these capillaries whereby chemical separation
takes place under the action of a large potential difference (approximately
25,000 V). This process is known as capillary electrophoresis.

Conventional chemical analysis uses laboratory glassware and large bench-top
instruments. Transfer between different steps in the analysis usually involves
manual processes.

In the portable instrumental approach, all of the steps in the analysis are
integrated and the whole process takes place inside the capillary, under the
control of a computer.

Dr Dicinoski estimated that the average analysis time using the new
technology is up to 10 times faster than that which can be achieved with a
conventional bench-top instrument. The ability to perform the analysis in the
field also reduces the time required to transfer results to investigators.

“The portable system involves working with small volumes, thereby reducing
the consumption of samples and reducing waste. It also provides the ability to
measure very low levels of the key components in the bomb residues. This makes
it easier to analyse the chemical residues and to determine with confidence the
composition of homemade inorganic explosive devices” he said.

Visit our website: www.across.utas.edu.au

For interviews please contact:

Dr Greg Dicinoski
Tel: (w) +61 3 6226-2166
Mobile: +61 407 410-403

* Prof. Paul Haddard
Tel: (w) +61 3 6226-2179
Mobile: +61 419 262174

* Director, ACROSS

Information Released by:
The Media Liaison Office, University of Tasmania
Phone: +61 3 6226-2124, Mobile: +61 417 517-291,
Email: Media.Office@utas.edu.au

Source: University Of Tasmania