Raman hyperspectral imaging in conjunction with independent component analysis as a forensic tool for explosive analysis: The case of an ATM explosion

Mariana Ramos Almeida; Lucio Paulo Lima Logrado; Jorge Jardim Zacca; Deleon Nascimento Correa; Ronei Jesus Poppi

doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2017.06.064

Raman hyperspectral imaging in conjunction with independent component analysis as a forensic tool for explosive analysis: The case of an ATM explosion

Talanta. 2017 Nov 1:174:628-632. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2017.06.064. Epub 2017 Jun 27.

Authors

Mariana Ramos Almeida¹, Lucio Paulo Lima Logrado², Jorge Jardim Zacca², Deleon Nascimento Correa³, Ronei Jesus Poppi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, 13084-971 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
² Brazilian Federal Police, Scientific and Technical Dept., 70037-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil.
³ Technical-Scientific Police Superintendency from São Paulo State, Criminalistic Institute, 05507-060 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
⁴ Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, 13084-971 Campinas, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: ronei@iqm.unicamp.br.

PMID: 28738632
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2017.06.064

Abstract

In this work, Raman hyperspectral imaging, in conjunction with independent component analysis, was employed as an analytical methodology to detect an ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) explosive in banknotes after an ATM explosion experiment. The proposed methodology allows for the identification of the ANFO explosive without sample preparation or destroying the sample, at quantities as small as 70μgcm^-2. The explosive was identified following ICA data decomposition by the characteristic nitrate band at 1044cm^-1. The use of Raman hyperspectral imaging and independent component analysis shows great potential for identifying forensic samples by providing chemical and spatial information.

Keywords: ANFO; Explosives; Hyperspectral Imaging; Independent component analysis; Raman spectroscopy.