The Application of Analytical Methods to the Detection of Hidden Explosives and Explosive Devices

Abstract The detection of hidden explosives has undergone an enormous development due to an increased desire for safety and the increased terrorist attacks in the last few years. This development was made possible in particular by the rapid advances in the development of powerful analytical techniques in general. These technologies, however, must be specially adapted for the problems of explosives detection. These problems encompass, for example, the large variety of different explosives, the camouflage of explosive devices, and the complexity of the composition of suspicious objects. Frequent air‐travelers have most certainly already been confronted with a so‐called explosives detection apparatus. Baggage controls at airports are a very important and well‐known example of the application of detection technologies. This example also serves to demonstrate the high technological requirements, such as the variability of the object to be examined and a control procedure for a sealed object that must be completed with high reliability in a short period of time. The search for explosive devices or weapons cannot, however, be limited to the recognition of an external appearance with the help of X‐ray imaging. These days, explosive devices, in particular, can readily be installed and hidden in objects of daily life by the use of tiny electric and electronic elements. Therefore, in addition to the application of X‐ray imaging, the use of other technologies becomes necessary. The following article describes and discusses methods and scientific limits of explosives detection under the precondition of possible use at security checkpoints. For corrigendum see DOI: 10.1002/anie.199713711