| Title: | Rapid changes in profiles from stored materials used in scent training of explosive detection dogs |
| Author(s): | Moren L; Bergstrom F; Brantlind M; Wingfors H; |
| Address: | "Swedish Defence Research Agency, CBRN Defence and Security, Cementvagen 20, 901 82 Umea, Sweden. The Swedish Police Authority, National Operations Department, 106 75 Stockholm, Sweden. Swedish Defence Research Agency, Weapons, Protection and Security, Olof Arrhenius Vag 31, 137 94 Sorunda, Sweden. Swedish Defence Research Agency, CBRN Defence and Security, Cementvagen 20, 901 82 Umea, Sweden. Electronic address: hakan.wingfors@foi.se" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.scijus.2022.10.001 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1876-4452 (Electronic) 1355-0306 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Canines trained on scents from materials emitting vapours of explosives and related compounds are widely used to detect explosives in civilian, military and forensic applications. Despite the importance of these training materials, there is limited knowledge on how long these subsamples can be stored and whether vapour profiles change over time. We developed a sampling methodology that makes use of a secondary chamber for stabilisation of headspace concentration to allow reliable and reproducible determination of scent profiles. The effect of aging was investigated by following the response of volatile markers emitted from eight common explosives in open and closed containers over two months or two years. The initial headspace air volume consisted of a wide variety of chemical substances related to explosives, with levels varying in magnitude from low ppb to ppm. All included subsamples were affected by aging by demonstrating exponentially lower levels, and five subsamples showed a significant change in their scent profile. The dominant components decreased on a short time scale for plastic explosives based on RDX, PETN and dynamite as well as for granules of octol and ammonium nitrate mixed with fuel. For flakes of TNT, granules of Comp B and nitrocellulose powder, headspace air concentrations declined, but the overall character of their profiles were in general more stable. The overall changes, i.e., lower levels and/or changed profiles, justifies regular checks of the scent status of training materials. Considering these results together with data displaying marginal changes in energetic performance, it is advisable to complement scent training with training materials subjected to different durations of aging" |
| Keywords: | Dogs Animals *Explosive Agents Odorants Working Dogs Nitroglycerin Pheromones Explosive detection dogs Explosives Scent profiles Thermal desorption Training material; |
| Notes: | "MedlineMoren, L Bergstrom, F Brantlind, M Wingfors, H eng England 2022/11/07 Sci Justice. 2022 Sep; 62(5):657-665. doi: 10.1016/j.scijus.2022.10.001. Epub 2022 Oct 20" |
