Non‐traditional explosives: Potential detection problems

Abstract

Most explosive detection technologies have been focused on nitro‐based military explosives because, indeed, they have figured in international terrorist incidents Not only are they readily available through purchase or theft or from sponsoring states, but methods for home synthesis of TNT, PETN and RDX are widely available. Presently substantial resources are being committed to developing explosive detection technologies to protect commercial aircraft, trains, tunnels, nuclear powerplants, etc. against such terrorist threats. Most of the systems now under development target a specific characteristic of military or commercial explosives (e.g., mass density, nitrogen density). However, as counter‐terrorist measures make traditional explosives more difficult to obtain or more risky to use, we should anticipate terrorists may turn to non‐traditional explosives. There are hundreds of energetic compounds and many common explosives which, while they do not meet exacting military demands, would be effective terro...