Crowe & Company has entered into a licensing agreement with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to acquire the technology of explosive detection kit developed by the High Energy Material Research Lab (HEMRL), Pune, one of the constituent laboratories of DRDO. A memorandum of understanding was signed by Dr Subhananda Rao, Director HEMRL on behalf of DRDO, and Faye Crowe, President, Crowe & Company.

HEMRL has developed the kit for quick detection and identification of explosives that can detect and identify explosives based on any combination of nitro esters, nitramines, trinitrotoluene (TNT), dynamite or black powder. The testing requires only three to five mg of suspected sample and about four drops of reagents. The explosive detection kit comes packed in a box the size of a vanity case and in miniature vials that can be kept in shirt pockets. It contains reagents capable of detecting explosives, even in extremely small, trace quantities.

Dr Prahlada, distinguished Scientist & Chief Controller R&D (Aeronautics & Services Interaction), DRDO, said, “The present technology can also be helpful to control illegal trafficking of the explosive materials as it can equally detect and identify explosive materials in the pre- and post-blast scenarios.”

Dr Subhananda Rao said the security forces now can instantly identify the explosive that was used for the detonation in the aftermath of a blast. They just have to take a sample of the residues from the scene of the crime and test it against the chemicals given in the kit. The change in colour tells them if the explosive used is RDX, TNT, PETN or any other chemical.

Faye Crowe said that after getting the necessary approvals from the US regulatory institutions they are planning to introduce the explosive detection kit to the US army and US homeland security forces and in other international markets.