Material Description and Analysis

• The material is in the form of finely dispersed flattened flakes with a maximum overall size of up to 70 $\mu$m.
• The main fraction of the flakes has a size of about 10 - 20 $\mu$m.
• The material of the flakes is technically pure aluminum (impurity content less than 0.4% by weight).

Material Identification

• In terms of appearance, morphological features, geometric dimensions, and chemical composition, the particles found on the objects correspond to domestic aluminum powder (GOST 5494-95).
• Aluminum powder according to GOST 5494-95 is produced as a pigment additive for the paint and varnish industry, or for the production of aerated concrete at enterprises manufacturing reinforced concrete building structures.
• Aluminum powder according to GOST 5494-95 is not used in the industrial production of explosives and pyrotechnic compositions.

Conclusions from Studies

Based on the studies conducted, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• Trace amounts of ammonium nitrate and high explosives - TNT and RDX - were found in samples of dust, soil, and on the surfaces of adhesive tapes.
• In addition, along with trace amounts of high explosives and ammonium nitrate, particles of aluminum powder were found on the surfaces of some objects (items 3.1, 4.1 - 4.5, 5.1).

Usage of Components

• TNT and RDX, both in pure form and in mixtures with other explosive and non-explosive components, are widely used for filling ammunition and as components of composite explosives, including industrial ones.
• Ammonium nitrate is used as a component in the industrial manufacture of ammonium nitrate composite explosives.
• On the other hand, ammonium nitrate is widely used in everyday life, for example, as a fertilizer.
• The aluminum particles found on the objects (items 3.1, 4.1 - 4.5, 5.1) are aluminum powder GOST 5494-95, which is not used in the industrial production of explosives and pyrotechnic compositions.
• Ammonium nitrate, as well as aluminum powder, are readily available components and can be used for the production of composite explosives in artisanal conditions (ammonium nitrate - oxidizer, aluminum powder - fuel).

Limitations of Analysis

• It is not possible to determine the source of origin of the ammonium nitrate, as well as the aluminum powder, from trace amounts and to unequivocally classify these detected substances as components of a composite explosive.
• It is not possible to conduct a comparative study of the detected trace amounts of explosives, aluminum powder, and ammonium nitrate with the explosives found in Moscow at the addresses: 16 Borisovskie Prudy St., bldg. 2 and 70 Krasnodarskaya St., due to the absence of...