First Defender Explosives Application Overview October 08 Ahura
First. Defender Explosives Application Overview October 08 © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007
Explosives Applications Domestic Terrorism q • • • Border Crossings Critical Infrastructure Liquid Explosives / Checkpoint Screening Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) q • • Home Made Explosives (HME) - Wartime Manufacturing Process Chemical Hazards q • • Common Industrial Chemicals Clandestine Laboratories © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 2 2 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Typical Scenario for Potential Explosive Threats CHALLENGE: Identify unknown chemicals • Limited data • Limited equipment Responder’s Options • Limited time Collect/Transport Sample Blow-and-Go • Increased Risk/Exposure • Unstable/Toxic Sample • Destroys evidence • Delayed Decision Making • Still unknown chemical • Detonating unknown • Resource drain • Takes time/delays operations • Spread chem hazard Wait on Scene Drawbacks © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 3 3 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Bomb Tech’s Technology Toolbox Explosives containment box Portable X-ray Bomb Suit Radio Frequency Jammers Vapor / Particulate Robots Chemical (Solid & Liquid) Fiber optic camera © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 4 4 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Raman versus Trace q Raman Spectroscopy Identification • • q Used to identify bulk liquids and solid materials that are visible to the human eye Raman spectroscopy has extremely high accuracy and very low false alarm rate (< 1%) Capable of identifying thousands of chemicals and mixtures Can identify raw materials used in manufacture of HMEs, not just finished explosives First. Defender is field instrument, rugged and decon-able Ready to go – no warm up time required No consumables FD can be upgraded in the field with new library items as new threats emerge IMS Trace Detection • • © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Used to identify the presence of trace explosives that cannot be seen High nuisance alarm rate (~10%) and cannot be used on bulk quantities (will saturate the detector) Only identifies finished explosives Can identify 5 – 10 single chemicals Not typically decon-able Dopant and dessicant consumables typically required ~2 - 24 hour warm up time Slide 5 5 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Bomb Technician – Critical Needs q Portable – Rugged Design q Easy to Use q Requires Minimal Training q Low Maintenance q Out of the Box Ready q Reliable q Rapid Response q Remote Scanning Bomb Technicians Military Haz. Mat - JPEO Bomb Squads - JIEDO Public Safety Fire Dept – Haz. Mat Law Enforcement Slide 6 6 Outside the U. S. bomb technicians are typically under the central military group © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Explosives 101 © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 7 7 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Explosives Overview Bomb Classification Model Improvised Explosive Devices IEDs Ordnance bombs built in factories Primary (bombs built by individuals) Secondary Nitrates Peroxides Precursors Slide 8 8 All bomb technicians are trained at the Hazardous Device School (FBI Sponsored) © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Commercial High Explosives (Ordnance) Secondary Explosives Primary Explosives Mostly insensitive and require a booster or detonator to initiate Very sensitive explosives used in detonators q q q Lead Azide Lead Styphnate Mercury Fulminate Diasodintitrophenol (DDNP) Tetrazene q q q Emulsion Water based explosives solutions of oxidizers and fuel, typically contains ammonium nitrate Boosters Explosive charge with high detonation velocity, used to amplify the primary explosive Ammonium Nitrate Trinitroltoluene (TNT) Petaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) Cyclo-Trimethylene Trinitramine (RDX) Dynamite Semtex Highly moldable, plastic explosives manufactured in Czech Republic containing RDX and PETN, sometimes TNT with plasticizers C-4 Composition 4, WWII, white, odorlesss, moldable containing RDX and plasticizers Sheet Explosives Flexible and moldable high explosives with mixtures of PETN or RDX and nitrocellulose © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 9 9 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Explosives Substance Overview - IED Nitrated Explosives Peroxide Explosives • NG – Nitroglycerin • TATP – Triacetone Triperoxide (Glycerin, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid) (Acetone, Hydrogen Peroxide, Strong Acid) • HMTD – Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine (Hexamine, Hydrogen Peroxide, Citric Acid) • EGDN – Ethylene Glycol Dinitrate (Ethylene Glycol, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid) • Methyl Nitrate • MEKP – Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide (Methyl ketone, Hydrogen Peroxide, Strong Acid) (Methyl Alcohol, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid) • Urea Nitrate (Urea, Nitric Acid) • Nitrocellulose (Gun Cotton) X (Cotton, Nitric Acid + Sulfuric Acid) Common Precursors • Strong Acids • Sulfuric ‘battery’ H 2 SO 4 • Nitric HNO 3 • Hydrochloric ‘ Muriatic HCl X • Hydrogen Peroxide H 2 O 2 • Urea • Acetone • Methyl ketone (MEK) • Alcohol • Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze) • Glycerin (Glycreol) • Hexamine (Camp Stove Tablets) • Citric Acid (sour salt) A variety of chemical precursors can be reacted together to create explosives © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 10 10 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Explosives Substance Overview – Oxidizers - IED Oxidizer Names • Perchlorate CLO 4 • Chlorate CLO 3 • Hypochlorite OCl • • • Nitrate NO 3 Peroxide O 2 Permanganate Mn. O 4 Iodate IO 3 Chromate Cr. O 4 Dichromate Cr 2 O 7 Reactive Elements combined with Oxidizers • Sodium (Na) • Potassium (K) • Barium (Ba) • Calcium (Ca) • Ammonium (NH 4) • Lithium (Li) • Strontium (Sr) • Lead (Pb) Oxidizer Compounds • • • Ammonium Perchlorate NH 4 CLO 4 Sodium Chlorate Na. CLO 3 Calcium Hypochlorite Ca(OCl)2 Ammonium Nitrate NH 4 NO 3 Potassium Nitrate KNO 3 Hydrogen Peroxide H 2 O 2 Barium Peroxide Ba. O 2 Potassium Permanganate KMn. O 4 Lead Iodate Pb(IO 3)2 • Lithium Chromate Li 2 Cr. O 42 H 2 O • Silver (Ag) • Potassium Dichromate K 2 Cr 2 O 7 • Hydrogen (H) Oxidizers serve as a source of oxygen or can be blended with fuels in IED mixtures Nitrate Blends Chlorate / Perchlorate Blends • • • ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate, Diesel Fuel) ANAI (Ammonium Nitrate, Aluminum Powder) ANS (Ammonium Nitrate, Sulfur Powder) ANIS (Ammonium Nitrate, Icing Sugar) Black Powder (Potassium Nitrate, Charcoal, Sulfur) X • • Flash Powder (Potassium Chlorate, Aluminum X Powder, Mg Powder, Sulfur) Poor Man’s C-4 (Potassium Chlorate, Vaseline) Armstrong’s Mixture (K-Chlorate, Red Phosphorous) © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 11 11 © Ahura Scientific 2008
First. Defender & Use Scenarios © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 12 12 © Ahura Scientific 2008
First. Defender Explosives Identification q Hand Held Chemical Identification System • > 6500 Substance Library • Explosives & Precursors • CWA and Industrial Chemicals q Simple User Interface • Designed for Tactical Field User • Point & Shoot, Vial or Flex Probe Mode • Samples Through Containers q Quick – Accurate Response • Unknown substance is scanned with 785 nm laser – scattered light is measured and compared to library of chemical spectrum • Capable of identifying mixtures q Light Weight – Ergonomic Design • < 4 pounds • Rugged exterior can be submerged and decon’d © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 13 13 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Principles of Operation q Detection Method – Raman Spectroscopy • No Sample Handling or Preparation • Designed for tactical, point and shoot applications • Unaffected by Strong IR Absorbers (Water, CO 2, Glass) • Excitation Wavelength Can Penetrate Container Materials § Beer bottles, wine bottles, water bottles, zip-lock bags, etc. • q Unique spectrally rich signature for identification Limitations • Does not penetrate opaque containers • Dark colored solid materials, black powder • Fluorescence can limit household product identification • Fluorescence can increase measurement time © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 14 14 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Use Modes Vial Ideal when environment does not allow for point and shoot, and for when sampling is done for evidence collection Use caution on dark colored substances Point-and-Shoot Flex Probe Ideal when you do not want to open container Ideal for hard to reach locations, and for freeing hands and fixing probe on sample Best Tactical Sampling Option © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Sample Time will be longer than point and shoot Slide 15 15 © Ahura Scientific 2008
What can Raman “see” through? Can laser light get through it? Yes No Transparent or Translucent Opaque © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 16 16 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Call to action simple results Good result always confirm with other info and technologies Good result always be aware of what a mixture means to other technologies Poor spectra, complex mixture, poor sampling, difficult sample, fluorescence could give this result See if spectra was acquired – call for Reachback support - Ahura 911 © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 17 17 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Tactical Advantages Applications q Analyze Unknowns Without Handling Analyze Unknown’s in Their Container Possible to Analyze Outside of Hot Zone © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 18 18 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Typical Scenario for Potential Explosive Threats CHALLENGE: Identify unknown chemicals • Limited data • Limited equipment Responder’s Options • Limited time Collect/Transport Sample Blow-and-Go • Increased Risk/Exposure • Unstable/Toxic Sample • Destroys evidence • Delayed Decision Making • Still unknown chemical • Detonating unknown • Resource drain • Takes time/delays operations • Bad public relations Wait on Scene Drawbacks © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 19 19 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Proposed Solution Technology allows paradigm shift in field identification tactics First. Defender Immediate Identification • Instant data • Real time decisions Situation Awareness Conclusion Increased Troop Operator Protection On scene Commander Blow-and-Go Declare Non. Threat Retain sample • Quickly assume operations • Collect evidence • No extra resources needed • Understand threat • Safely detonate • Clear scene • • Continue operations Retains evidence © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 20 20 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Home Made Explosives (HME) q One of the greatest challenges for EOD • Easy to Make – Internet Recipes Can be extremely sensitive, rough cause detonation q q handling may The First. Defender can scan through translucent containers § Allows you to take a scan without disturbing the sample Most of the known precursors for HME detectable by the First. Defender q are • Hydrogen Peroxide • Sulfuric Acid • Acetone © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 21 21 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Scenarios q Clandestine Laboratories • • q Methamphetamine Labs • • • q Home made Laboratory discovered in residence or abandoned building filled with unlabeled flasks and containers Could be narcotics, explosives or benign liquids Taking a sample can risk detonation First. Defender’s ability to sample through containers facilitates non-contact sampling Home made drug labs is residence or buildings Many dangerous toxic chemicals and booby traps Possible chemical vapor spread in detonation Post Blast • • • Residual Material from an explosion scene can be scanned to identify the remaining explosive material Cannot identify ash or post-explosive material Chemical enhancers and precursors can be tested as well © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 22 22 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Success Stories © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 23 23 © Ahura Scientific 2008
U. S. State & Local q Orlando International Airport April, 2008 • “A Jamaican planning to board a flight at Orlando International Airport was detained and questioned by FBI agents Tuesday after they found components for pipe bombs and explosive and flammable liquids in his checked luggage……. including two vodka bottles with flammable nitro methane” Orlando Sentinel, June 23, 2008 • “I definitely want to commend AHURA on its ease of access to the analyzed data ” Law Enforcement official onsite at the incident q Key Customers • • St. Paul MN PD Bomb Squad Oklahoma Highway Patrol Albuquerque Police Dept Tampa International Airport Police Explosives unit Tallahassee Bomb Squad Florida Fire Marshall's office Massachusetts State Police EOD Austin Police Dept © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 24 24 © Ahura Scientific 2008
U. S. Federal Military q U. S. Military First. Defender Customer • “To whom it may concern, my team is currently deployed to Iraq. We use your First. Defender on most every mission. It is one of the best if not the best instruments we use. I am in need of a price list for all of the expendable items that you have listed on your website under Parts and Accessories. If you could send me the prices I would appreciate it. Thank You” q Key Customers • • • U. S. Military (Air Force, Army, Marine Corp, National Guard) Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection Federal Bureau of Investigation Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 25 25 © Ahura Scientific 2008
International q Canadian Department of Defense q Japanese Ministry of Defense q United Kingdom MOD q China Olympics q Israel Military © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 26 26 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Key Partnerships – U. S. q ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agency within • • q HDS (Hazardous Device School for FBI) • • q Provides Training to Bomb Techs ATF Teams First. Defender incorporated into training curriculum the Dept of Justice) All certified bomb technicians attend HDS First. Defender incorporated into training curriculum NBRCT (Louisiana State University) (National Center for Biomedical Research & Training Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education) http: //www. ncbrt. lsu. edu/ q IABTI Recommended Product List • q International Association of Bomb Technicians - pending approval Tom Thurman • • Former FBI Agent and Director of Explosives Center 3 rd party performance and capability testing complete © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 27 27 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Key Partnership Targets – International q DSTL Defense Science & Technology Laboratory UK q HOSDB Home Office Scientific Development Branch UK • IEDs for Police q London Metropolitan Police q BKA Bundeskriminalamt Germany • National Investigative Police Agency (Federal Ministry of the Interior) © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 28 28 © Ahura Scientific 2008
Spectra for explosives: Peroxide-based TATP (triacetone triperoxide) MEKP (methylketone peroxide) HMTD (hexamethylene triperoxidediamine) 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 Raman shift (D cm-1) © Ahura Scientific, Inc. 2007 Slide 29 29 © Ahura Scientific 2008
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