Detection of Dynamite Residues on the Hands of Bombing Suspects

A major problem in the investigation of bombings involves placing or connecting the type of explosive used with the suspect. This problem arose in an attempted bombing to ascertain whether or not the mere handling of dynamite would leave deposits of nitrate esters on the hands. The attempted bombing involved multiple sticks of “leaking” or “seeping” dynamite. It was reported that results were positive for nitroglycerine (NG) and ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN) on the hands, even after three full days had elapsed. The lack of published information on the reliability of the procedure used led to this study.