MORPHIX Technologies Trace X Explosives Kit by Sal Palma

FOG HORN

August, 2016 Twobirds Flying Publication

MORPHIX TECHNOLOGIES TRACE X EXPLOSIVES KIT

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MORPHIX TECHNOLOGIES TRACE X EXPLOSIVES KIT By: Sal Palma Before getting into my review I want to thank two individuals for generously providing their time, substantial expertise and opinions to supplement my limited experience with the highly technical subject of explosives. Thomas Bender, Van Nuys, CA, an explosives expert and armorer with more film credits than you can shake a stick at and Ryan Morris, President, Tripwire Operations Group LLC1. Both of these individuals contributed significantly to this review. So, what is a TraceX Explosives Kit from MORPHIX Technologies? The 50,000 ft. explanation is that TraceX is a field expedient, extremely compact, explosives test kit developed by MORPHIX Technologies under 1

Tripwire Operations Group LLC. (Tripwire) is a SBA certified company (small business) that is SAM registered. Tripwire Operations Groups is comprised of First Responders dedicated to First Responders. We believe the most highly trained create a safer America. We prepare military and first responders to protect our country and cities, providing products, training, services and relationships that together no one else provides.

contract with the Department of Defense. More specifically itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a colorimetric explosive test kit. There are no electronics components; the presence of explosive materials, and precursors, is indicated by color changes resulting from a reaction with specific chemicals. Unlike electronic detection systems, TraceX requires little training, so it is usable by regular military and law enforcement to quickly determine the presence of homemade explosives, or HMEs, and their precursors in the field. The kit is capable of detecting 9 HMEs and their precursors with a single test and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effective on bulk as well as trace amounts. When we speak of trace amounts, we mean contamination not visible to the naked eye. Bulk amounts are visible quantities of explosive materials or powders.

Headquartered in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Tripwire is rapidly expanding in both the Government and commercial markets as a leading provider of training, security solutions, and explosive products. Every employee at Tripwire Operations Group is charged with being a guardian of our Corporate Value System. These values guide both our business and personal relationships, and we take them very seriously. We believe that our dedication to the fundamental tenets of honesty, integrity and fair business dealings will enable us to continue our long legacy of success. We do not claim to be perfect, but we do pledge to try and run our business according to the Value System and correct our actions if we fall short Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

MORPHIX TECHNOLOGIES TRACE X EXPLOSIVES KIT

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What I liked most about the TraceX kit is that everything needed is contained in one compact package. IKEA would turn green with envy. All of the necessary reagents are stored in ampules so there’s no need for the user to handle hazardous high molarity acids or strong bases.

objective was to impregnate the test surface with a trace amount of what I believe will be positive for nitrates. I created two, less than glamorous, videos which I’ll have available on my blog along with this review to document my procedures.

Second, the collector is designed to isolate the user from the test surface and sample, one would need to have polished off a bottle of Arak to mess up and contaminate a sample; that’s how well thought-out this kit is. It’s about as sailor proof as anything I’ve seen.

I contaminated the test surface on 9 August and tested the surface on 16 Aug. The results are clearly indicated in the slide below. You can see a color change for Nitrates (hot pink color) and the presence of HMX, RDX, EGDN or PETN indicated by a very light pink color.

I have to laugh a bit at this point because while in college, one of the defining characteristics of geology majors is that they were all slobs, whereas chemistry majors required a much higher level of cleanliness in order for the lab exercises to produce expected results. Isolating the operator from the collector surface mitigates (but does not eliminate) the risk of contaminating your sample. In law enforcement or counter-terror operations it could mean the difference between a good bust and a civil suit. TraceX’s collector design is about as close to perfect as one can get in a non-laboratory setting with a system as compact. Users can be assured of a good clean sample under most conditions. I killed a few brain cells coming up with a meaningful way of testing the TraceX kit outside of a lab setting, I have to thank Ryan Morris who offered to run it through his lab and create a video for me, but heck that’s no fun so I ended up pulling the bullet on a .22 caliber CB short, emptied the powder charge and discharged the primer on my test surface. The priming compound used in rimfire ammunition is a mixture of lead styphnate, antimony sulfide, barium nitrate, and other chemicals. My

Other than reading the directions and some chemistry background from college (totally unnecessary) I have no formal or informal training in using the product. The TraceX kit was extremely easy to use but you will need to apply strong hand pressure to rupture the ampules releasing the reagents. This may prove problematic for women or individuals with weaker hands, but something that could be easily remedied by using metal poppers. MORPHIX Technologies has gone to great lengths to eliminate the risks associated with accidental chemical/user interaction; however, please keep in mind that you are working with

MORPHIX TECHNOLOGIES TRACE X EXPLOSIVES KIT

caustic chemicals so at a minimum wear eye protection. Hands-on use of the kit was very straight forward; first you’ll want to verify your kit’s expiration date, don’t use expired kits. Next you’ll want to dampen the TraceX collector. This is done by pressing on the designated ampules. Instructions are clearly provided to guide you through the process. There are two collection techniques that you need to be aware of; one for smooth surfaces and another for rough or textured surfaces. On smooth surfaces like countertops or tables, swab the surface using a figure 8 motion for about 10 – 20 seconds. On rough surfaces like concrete, or where you can see bulk quantities, use a dabbing motion. Dab 2 or 3 times as you don’t want to contaminate your collector with too much material, it may clog the reagent channels and render the kit unusable. To reiterate, all steps are well documented with appropriate illustrations, which our USMC brothers and sisters will appreciate.

Earlier, I mentioned that TraceX can detect 9 HMEs and their precursors, most of which are boutique HMEs like the Triacetone Triperoxide

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used in Paris and at the Brussels airport, with one test.

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Nitroaromatics, e.g. TNT, DNT, Tetryl Nitramines/Nitrate Esters e.g. RDX, HMX, PETN, EGDN, NG Inorganic Nitrates e.g. urea nitrate, ammonium nitrate, black powder Chlorate/Bromates e.g. potassium chlorate, potassium bromate Peroxides e.g. TATP, HMTD Acids e.g. nitric acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid Bases e.g. potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide.

Once the operator has gained access to a suspect facility, he or she can successfully run a test from start to finish in less than 10 minutes, consistently. This is a measurably beneficial asset to law enforcement and counter-terror personnel who are expected to be preemptive rather than reactive. Unlike electronic systems that can easily strain law enforcement budgets, Trace X kits are available at a unit cost of $30, or lower in quantities. When you compare that with an electronic handheld system like FLIR’s FIDO X22 which has an M.S.R.P. of $9,999, TRACE X from MORPHIX Technologies becomes a very cost effective solution to what will surely become a growing problem, the increased use of HMEs by terrorists. Note that the M.S.R.P. for electronic systems is equipment cost only. To arrive at the fully loaded cost you need to consider operator 2

The FLIR FIDO X2 has capabilities not available in the TRACE X kit. The FIDO unit will detect vapor and will detect an HME in 10 to 20 seconds because you don’t need to wait for a colorimetric reaction. Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

MORPHIX TECHNOLOGIES TRACE X EXPLOSIVES KIT

training recurring maintenance, calibration and supporting supplies.

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Manufacturer Specification  

The MORPHIX Technologies TraceX explosives test kit has a number of things going for it. First, it detects 9 HMEs and precursors with one test. Second, its compact size makes it easily transportable; any utility pouch attached to a vest or belt is more than adequate and It also has a broad operating range - operating temperature range 2ºC to 50ºC (35ºF to 122ºF) and operating humidity range from 10% to 95% RH. It’s unlikely that you’ll encounter a problem under most field conditions. The collector design isolates the operator from the sample so it effectively mitigates the risk of contaminating your test, and its ease of use and no power requirement makes the TraceX kit ideal for field deployment. On the financial side, its unit cost makes it feasible for broad distribution to law enforcement and other units directly involved with counter-terror activities.

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In closing, keep in mind that when using any trace detection technology a positive indication is only step one of a lengthier process; however, TraceX is one more arrow in law enforcement’s quiver as they seek to be proactive in the fight against terror.

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Shelf Life: 12 months3 Operating Temperature Range: 2ºC to 50ºC (35ºF to 122ºF) Operating Humidity Range: 10% to 95% RH Sensitivity: Trace Level (can also detect bulk levels) Explosives Detected: Nitroaromatics, e.g. TNT, DNT, Tetryl o Nitramines/Nitrate Esters e.g. RDX, HMX, PETN, EGDN, NG o Inorganic Nitrates e.g. urea nitrate, ammonium nitrate, black powder o Chlorate/Bromates e.g. potassium chlorate, potassium bromate o Peroxides e.g. TATP, HMTD o Acids e.g. nitric acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid o Bases e.g. potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide Time for Color Change Less than 3 minutes Kit Size 131 mm x 92 mm x 17 mm (51/4" X 3-3/4" X 3/4")

-SP