Are there traces of explosive substances and packaging on the presented robe and bag, similar to the explosive substances and their packaging found in Moscow at the addresses: 16 Borisovskie Prudy St., bldg. 2 and 70 Krasnodarskaya St.?

INVESTIGATIONS

1. Visual Inspection

The objects specified in the introductory part of this conclusion were received for examination after physical and chemical studies conducted within the framework of expert conclusion No. 4/198 of the forensic laboratory of military unit 34435 on the basis of a resolution dated October 20, 1999, by the head of the investigative group of the Service in the KMV [Caucasian Mineral Waters] of the Directorate of the FSB of Russia for the Stavropol Territory, Lieutenant Colonel of Justice V.G. Enin.

The objects were in two polymer transparent bags, the integrity of the packaging of which was compromised (the bags were opened).

In a transparent polymer bag, to the neck of which a tag is attached with the inscription: "Bag found in garage No. 8.....", an impression of the seal "Prosecutor of Kislovodsk, Stavropol Territory * For bags" and the signature of investigator E.Yu. Arefyev, there is:
* A brown cloth bag 800 mm long and 550 mm wide. The bag has numerous damages in the form of tears.

In a transparent polymer bag, to the neck of which a tag is attached with the inscription: "Black robe found in garage No. 8.....", an impression of the seal "Prosecutor of Kislovodsk, Stavropol Territory * For bags" and the signature of investigator E.Yu. Arefyev, there is:
* A cloak made of black material with a hood and patch side pockets.

2. Physical and chemical studies of explosive substances

For the purpose of detecting explosive substances (ES) or their components, physical and chemical studies of the presented objects were carried out using the methods of optical microscopy, high-performance thin-layer (HPTLC) and ion (IC) chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDX) in the following sequence.

Initially, to detect microparticles of ES, components of mixed explosive substances (fine aluminum powders, ammonium nitrate, etc.), gunpowder particles, as well as fragments of ES packaging, the objects were examined visually using a "Leica" (Germany) MZ12 microscope at various magnifications and lighting.

As a result, no fragments of ES packaging, microparticles, or particles of the above-mentioned substances were found on the objects under study.

Next, methanol washings were made from the objects, which were filtered through ashless "white ribbon" filters, evaporated to a volume of 1 ml, and then divided in half. One part was studied by HPTLC and