Tasmanian scientists develop an explosives fingerprinting device

The University of Tasmania has developed a portable device for explosives fingerprinting, which promises to assist police in apprehending terrorists responsible for bomb blasts.

The instrument was developed by a team of scientists from the Australian Centre for Research On Separation Science (ACROSS).

The briefcase size instrument uses high voltage from a battery to separate and identify chemicals left by bomb blast residues. Within minutes a "fingerprint' is formed that identifies the explosive used.

Research leader, Dr Greg Dicinoski estimates that the average analysis time using the new technology is up to 10 times faster than that achieved with a conventional bench-top instrument.

"After a terrorist bombing, it can often take investigators considerable time using laboratory tests to find exactly the kind of chemicals used to create the bomb," Dicinoski said. "With the new portable technology it will be possible to identify the exact homemade explosive used within minutes."