The volatile organic compounds in seized cocaine hydrochloride were analyzed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Two different methods of sampling volatile compounds were investigated. In the first method, 20, 50, and 100 mg samples of seized cocaine hydrochloride were loaded into 2-inch glass tubes. The headspace of each tube was then purged with ultra high purity (UHP) helium and the gas exiting the tube was directed through a cryogenic loop filled with glass beads and maintained at liquid nitrogen temperature. The volatile organic compounds were collected onto the glass beads while the helium gas was vented. The organic compounds were subsequently thermally desorbed onto the column and analyzed by GC/MS. In the second method, 10 mg and 100 mg samples of seized cocaine hydrochloride were loaded into glass tubes fitted with glass frits at one end. UHP helium was purged through each sample and the purge gas containing organic compounds was collected onto a sorbent tube packed with Tenax TA. The concentrated organic compounds were then thermally desorbed onto a 4 m section of a split GC capillary column maintained at -70 degrees C with flow rates of 20-28 ml/min. Flow was returned to 2.8 ml/min during analysis. By sampling the seized samples of cocaine hydrochloride using a cryogenic loop, methanol, methyl ethyl ketone, acetic acid, 2,2,4-trimethyl pentane, 2-methyl pentane, dichloromethane, 2-propanol, and 2-propanol, and 2-propane (acetone) were found in three different seized cocaine hydrochloride samples. The observed quantities of these volatile organic compounds were different for each of the three seized cocaine hydrochloride samples. THe observed quantities of these volatile organic compounds were different for each of the three seized samples labeled A, B, and C. By sampling the seized samples of cocaine hydrochloride using sorbent tubes, cocaine was consistently observed. Although volatile components other than cocaine were observed, the number and amount of volatile components were not consistent with the cryogenic loop results.

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) has emerged as a rapid alternative to conventional sample extraction techniques. SPME can be used in solids, liquids, and sample headspace. Compounds are sorbed by a stationary phase coated on a fused silica fiber. The compounds are desorbed, and analyzed using gas chromatography (GC), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). As a part of the present work we have found that SPME can also be used conveniently with ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Cocaine and heroin vapors sorbed on a SPME fiber were detected using IMS. The use of SPME-GC or SPME-HPLC has been reported in analysis of urine samples containing cocaine and its metabolites. We are evaluating SPME-IMS, and SPME-GC systems for the detection of cocaine and heroin and their decomposition products in the headspace above surfaces. This is part of our research on the surface decomposition of contraband drugs for detection applications. This paper will give a variety of examples in the use of SPME in the detection of contraband drugs and their reaction/decomposition products in the vapor state. An example is the detection of cocaine in the headspace above cocaine HCl at room temperature.

It is of interest for drug enforcement agencies to know the fate of cocaine hydrochloride when in storage. Reported here are results obtained on vapor samples collected from cocaine hydrochloride stored under several combinations of temperature and humidity. The storage conditions were varied from ambient temperature to 40 degrees C and from zero humidification to 80 percent relative humidity. Cocaine hydrochloride samples were coated onto glass beads and loaded into a glass reactor which was in turn placed inside a heated metal chamber. Ultra-zero air, conditioned to the desired humidification, was purged into the glass container, through the glass frit, over the coated beads, and the exit gas was collected onto a sorbent tube packed with Tenax TA. Any chemical product arising from the interaction between cocaine hydrochloride and the flowing air was effectively collected onto the sorbent tube, which was analyzed using a split column GC/MS technique. The results of these storage experiments showed that methyl benzoate is a predominant volatile product, even at zero percent humidification. The average formation of methyl benzoate was found to range from 1.89 ng/min with ambient/dry conditions after one hour to 62 ng.min at 40 degrees C/80 percent RH upon introduction of flowing air. These results indicate that cocaine hydrochloride exposed to any realistic humidity level in the environment will produce methyl benzoate, a volatile organic material which can be much more readily detected than cocaine hydrochloride itself.

The use of marine containers is a well known smuggling method for large shipments of drugs. Such containers present an ideal method of smuggling as the examination method is time consuming, difficult and expensive for the importing community. At present, various methods are being studied for screening containers which would allow to rapidly distinguish between innocent and suspicious cargo. Air sampling is one such method. Air is withdrawn for the inside of containers and analyzed for telltale vapors uniquely associated with the drug. The attractive feature of the technique is that the containers could be sampled without destuffing and opening, since air could be conveniently withdrawn via ventilation ducts. In the present paper, the development of air sampling methodology for the detection of cocaine hydrochloride will be discussed, and the results from a recent field test will be presented. The results indicated that vapors of cocaine and its decomposition product, ecgonidine methyl ester, could serve as sensitive indicators of the presence of the drug in the containers.

Bulk narcotic detection systems based upon Quadrupole Resonance Analysis (QRA) technology have a major advantage over imaging technologies, in that QRA is chemical-specific and consequently has a lower rate of false alarms. QRA is a magnetic resonance technology which occurs as a result of the inherent molecular properties of the atomic nuclei in crystalline and amorphous solids. The QRA response is characterized by 1) the precessional frequency of the nucleus, and 2) the nature of the electric field gradient experienced by the nucleus,due to its molecular environment. Another important detection parameter is linewidth, resonant quality. All of these parameters depend on sample purity and manufacturing process. Quantum Magnetics recently carried out a study on the QRA signatures of various narcotic materials with the support of the US Army, US Customs, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The aim of the study was to fully characterize the variation in QRA spectroscopic parameters of different samples of cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride. The results from this study ar discussed here.

The goal of our work is tow fold; 1) develop a portable and rapid laser based air sampler for detection of specific chemical contraband and 2) compile a spectral data base in both the near- and mid-IR of sufficiently high quality to be useful for gas phase spectroscopic identification of chemical contraband. During the synthesis or 'cooking' of many illicit chemical substances, relatively high concentrations of volatile solvents, chemical precursors and byproducts are unavoidably released to the atmosphere. In some instances, the final product may have sufficient vapor pressure to be detectable in the surrounding air. The detection of a single high-value effluent or the simultaneous detection of two or more low-value effluents can be used as reliable indicators of a nearby clandestine cooking operation. The designation of high- versus low-value effluent reflects both the commercial availability and legitimate usage of a specific chemical. This paper will describe PNNL's progress and efforts towards the development of a portable laser based air sampling system for the detection of clandestine manufacturing of methamphetamine. Although our current efforts ar focused on methamphetamine, we see no fundamental limitations on detection of other forms of chemical contraband manufacturing. This also includes the synthesis of certain classes of chemical weapons that have recently been deployed by terrorist groups.

Research on a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Gas Chromatography (GC) non-intrusive inspection system has demonstrated the ability to identify and quantify the presence of non- volatile contraband vapors in less than 10 seconds. The technique can be used to detect volatile compounds associated with the contraband compound as well. This is important because volatile taggants in explosives make them easy to detect and volatile organic compounds are routinely used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs. The results of tests with volatile organic compounds associated with drugs of abuse, and volatile taggants for explosives are presented. The latter materials are particularly useful in detecting plastic explosives and results for Semtex and C-4 spiked with a taggant show that detectability is improved. Similar testing protocols and methods for drugs, currency, organo-phosphate agents, and taggant compounds have also been demonstrated. The SAW/GC method needs no high voltages, utilizes essentially all solid state devices, and involves no radioactive or hazardous materials SAW detection systems have demonstrated dynamic ranges greater than 1,000,000 and the ability to selectively screen for vapors from explosive and drugs of abuse at the part per billion level with little or no interference. Most important for law-enforcement, SAW/GC devices can be produced in small packages at low cost.

Surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) is rapidly emerging as a new and unique analytical tool for sensitive and selective analysis. In the form developed[l-4] in the authors' laboratory, an analyte containing a chromophore is added to a stable silver colloidal suspension and the suspension aggregated. The suspension is then excited with a laser and the scattered light collected using a conventional Raman spectrometer.

A new patented Ion Trap Mobility Spectrometer design is presented. Conventional IMS designs typically operate below 0.1 percent efficiency. This is due primarily to electric field driven, sample ion discharge on a shutter grid. Since 99.9 percent of the sample ions generated in the reaction region are lost int his discharge process, the sensitivity of conventional systems is limited. The new design provides greater detection efficiency than conventional designs through the use of an 'ion trap' concept. The paper describes the plasma and sample ion dynamics in the reaction region of the new detector and discusses the advantages of utilizing a 'field-free' space to generate sample ions with high efficiency. Fast electronic switching is described which is used to perturb the field-free space and pulse the sample ions into the drift region for separation and subsequent detection using pseudo real-time software for analysis and display of the data. One application for this new detector is now being developed, a portable, hand-held system with switching capability for the detection of drugs and explosives. Preliminary ion spectra and sensitivity data are presented for cocaine and heroin using a hand sniffer configuration.

In accordance with its missions, le Centre de Recherches et d'Etudes de la Logistique de la Police Nationale francaise (CREL) has been conducting research for the past few years targeted at detecting drugs and explosives. We have focused our approach of the underlying physical and chemical detection principles on solid state gas sensors, in the hope of developing a hand-held drugs and explosives detector. The CREL and Laboratory and Scientific Services Directorate are research partners for this project. Using generic hydrocarbon, industrially available, metal oxide sensors as illicit material detectors, requires usage precautions. Indeed, neither the product's concentrations, nor even the products themselves, belong to the intended usage specifications. Therefore, the CREL is currently investigating two major research topics: controlling the sensor's environment: with environmental control we improve the detection of small product concentration; determining detection thresholds: both drugs and explosives disseminate low gas concentration. We are attempting to quantify the minimal concentration which triggers detection. In the long run, we foresee a computer-based tool likely to detect a target gas in a noisy atmosphere. A neural network is the suitable tool for interpreting the response of heterogeneous sensor matrix. This information processing structure, alongside with proper sensor environment control, will lessen the repercussions of common MOS sensor sensitivity characteristic dispersion.

A range of explosives and narcotics have been examined using Raman spectroscopy with 244 nm excitation. This wavelength of excitation eliminates the fluorescence problems associated with excitation at visible wavelengths. Comparison with spectra obtained using visible excitation reveals that resonance Raman scattering is occurring. This results in simplified spectra, and enhanced Raman scattering efficiencies.

Field ion spectrometry, also known as transverse field compensation ion mobility spectrometry, is a new technique for trace gas analysis that can be applied to the detection of cocaine and heroin. Its principle is based on filtering ion species according to the functional dependence of their mobilities with electric field strength. Field ion spectrometry eliminates the gating electrodes needed in conventional IMS to pulse ions into the spectrometer; instead, ions are injected in to the spectrometer and reach the detector continuously, resulting in improved sensitivity. The technique enables analyses that are difficult with conventional constant field strength ion mobility spectrometers. We have shown that a filed ion spectrometer can selectively detect the vapors from cocaine and heroin emitted from both their base and hydrochloride forms. The estimated volumetric limits of detection are in the low pptv range, based on testing with standardized drug vapor generation systems. The spectrometer can detect cocaine base in the vapor phase, at concentrations well below its estimated 100 pptv vapor pressure equivalent at 20 degrees C. This paper describes the underlying principles of field ion spectrometry in relation to narcotic drug detection, and recent results obtained for cocaine and heroin. The work has been sponsored in part by the United States Advanced Research Projects Agency under contract DAAB10-95C-0004, for the DOD Counterdrug Technology Development Program.

A novel, portable instrument, model NDS-2000 for the detection of illicit drugs was developed. The instrument is based on surface ionization detection system, where ionization is carried out on a heated filament. Positive ions formed in the process are drifted to a collector and a signal is registered. The front-end of the instrument consists of an integral vacuum sampler with built-in desorber system for narcotic particles. The model NDS-2000 has an internal microprocessor and LCD display, as well as visible and audible alarm indicators. RS-232 port on the instrument provides communication to an external PC for data storage and printing.

Achieving efficiency in sampling, and sample handling of contraband drugs is integral to the successful operation of field detection and analytical systems, and represents a major technology challenge. One of the most popular methods of sampling surfaces for contraband drugs is the use of swipes. However, the detailed evaluation of swiping procedures, swipe materials, the effect of surfaces, wet swipes vs. dry swipes, environmental factors, to mention several; have not been performed. We have initiated studies of sampling and sample handling as an adjunct to the development of man-portable detection instrumentation for contraband drugs. The goal is to understand the parameters critical to achieving maximum efficiency in sampling surfaces. The choice of swipe material makes a great difference. The nature of the surface sampled is very important as well Our studies have shown that various degrees of roughness, porosity, and mechanical damage can contribute to as much as 32 percent of the target drug being retained by the surface after swiping. This paper will present details of our progress in understanding the various parameters in sampling with a goal to assist in standardizing field sampling as much as possible among detection instruments.

Within correctional facilities, the use and abuse of intoxicants, often leads to and results in, very serious incidents such as staff assaults, inmate assaults, murders, riots, hostage taking, deaths by drug overdose and suicides. Needless to say, these types of violent activities undermine the safety and security of our prison system, and undermine the successful reintegration of the offender back into society as the offender will be released with the same drug abuse problems that led him or her to the prison system in the first instance. In addition, without the use of reliable drug detection technologies to assist our correctional officers in conducting search and seizure, our efforts to better secure the prison environment would be severely hampered. We believe that as a member of the law enforcement community at large and, in view of our mandate to protect society, we have a legal duty to control and to seize any drugs and related contraband illegally entering our federal correctional facilities. In addition, we have a lawful duty to detect and seize drugs that are already in circulation within our correctional environment. To this end, a pilot project utilizing an Ion Mobility Spectrometry and an Ion Mobility Trap Spectrometry scanner, has aided our efforts and has resulted in an apparent reduction in drug related activities within Canadian prisons. These efforts also promote offender treatment and rehabilitative programs within our Service and better protects the public at large.

Multiple Coast Guard commands incorporate a variety of advanced narcotic detection technologies into their normal Law Enforcement routine. Planning calls for new commands to expand their narcotic detection capability via the introduction of additional advanced narcotic detection systems before 1997. The successful integration of new technology is the result of the synergistic relationship between the Research and Development Center and operational units during technology development. This paper will give an overview of the Coast Guard methodology emphasizing the requirements and related issues of law enforcement in the maritime environment. Topics to be discussed include: An overview of the initial research incorporating both operational commands and the Research and Development Center; How the instruments were initially implemented in the field; How the instruments are currently used; How law enforcement officers are currently trained to be equipment operators; Lessons learned from different case studies; and research currently being conducted to support the field law enforcement officer.

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is an excellent tool for detection of controlled substances under field conditions. Plasmagrams and tables showing the results of field applications will be discussed. Residues of drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, can be left anywhere including vehicles, boats, and houses. In houses, the carpets, walls, and floors are good locations for residues to adhere. Individual clothing can also be contaminated with drug residue. Vehicles that are suspected of having previously smuggled illegal substances can be vacuumed and screened. Tablets that look similar and respond the same when screened with the Marquis reagent can be differentiated by IMS. With Southern California being the 'methamphetamine capital of the world' and the resurgence of phencyclidine, IMS has proven extremely valuable in the screening of abandoned clandestine laboratory sites and vehicles in which the clandestine laboratories; chemicals and glassware were transported. IMS is very responsive to ephedrine/pseudophedrine, a precursor of methamphetamine and 1-piperidinocyclohexanecarbonitrile, an intermediate of phencyclidine. Once residues are detected, vacuum samples, and/or methanol wipes are collected and analyzed at the DEA Laboratory for confirmation of the suspected substance using GC-IRD or Mass Spectrometry.

Biologically-based systems are ideal candidates for contraband and explosives detection systems. Antibodies, in particular, due to their high sensitivity and high specificity, and inherent ability to be manipulated to exploit desired characteristics are ideally suited to be a 'detector'. Recent advances in their manufacture make antibodies inexpensive, with repeatable and reliable characteristics. The key element to their success as detectors for contraband and explosives is their immobilization onto substrates which facilitates their use in field applications and maximizes their 'detector' capabilities. This paper will discuss several emerging antibody and biologically-based detection systems and their potential for use in detecting contraband and explosives.

The presence of illegal drugs is a growing problem, no longer confined to urban areas. Drug abuse is common in schools and colleges, workplaces, and homes. Drug trafficking has expanded beyond national borders to a variety of transportation and residential hubs. In order to deal with the prevalence of drugs, we need to identify where drugs are being used, stored, and transferred; we need a detection system that is easy to use, portable, accurate, and highly sensitive.

To assist in airport surveillance efforts, a biosensor based on antibody recognition of individual explosives and drugs has been developed at the Naval Research Laboratory. Analysis of samples containing ng/mL levels of the material are completed in under one minute. Immunoassays for the explosives and the five major drugs of abuse are currently available. The intrinsic nature of antigen-antibody binding also provides the unit with an inherently high degree of selectivity. A portable version of the biosensor that can be run by non-technical personnel is also being engineered. The device, including pumps and fluorometer, will be housed on a modified PCMCIA cartridge fitted into a laptop computer. To run assays, a disposable coupon containing the antibody/fluorescent-antigen complex is inserted into the unit and samples are introduced via a sampling port. Results can be viewed in real time or stored on the computer for later data retrieval and analysis.

The trained canine and handler team remains the most widely used and successful detection system in the world (1). The institute for Biological Detection Systems (IBDS) at Auburn University has previously reported the design and testing of a quantitative vapor delivery device to study canine olfactIon (2). These devices provide a controlled odor delivery environment invaluable in the study of olfaction. Termed olfactometers, these delivery systems are not confined to a singular design or experimental purpose (3). To determine olfactory threshold levels, for example, a device which delivers a single odorant over a large concentration range would be the design of choice (cf. Ref. 2). However, the formulation of an effective vapor signature as determined by canine olfactory performance would require a device capable of delivering more than one odorant, yet a broad concentration range of these odorants is not necessary. This paper will discuss both of these olfactometer designs: a single-source olfactometer (550) and a multi-source olfactometer (MSO). Specific criteria have been formulated by which olfactometers are designed for psychophysical research which include the purity of diluent gas and the ability to precisely control the onset and termination of an odor (4). The IBDS olfactometers are based, in part, on previous olfactometer designs utilizing mass flow controllers, a purified air diluerit and a controlled temperature environment (5). The effectiveness of the IBDS olfactometer design as applied to these criteria for psychophysical research has been reported (cf.Ref. 2). However, the following work expands on this initial study by outlining performance specific testing in order to characterize such time-dependent parameters as odorant rise time and output stability under operational conditions, which were not included in previous reported studies. These time.dependent parameters for both MSO and SSO olfactometer designs will be compared by two different realtime detection methods, ion mobility spectrometry and photo-ionization detection.

Methyl benzoate is a consistent product of cocaine hydrochloride exposed to humid air. The detection responses of dogs trained to detect illicit cocaine hydrochloride may be controlled by vapor from cocaine, methyl benzoate, or other constituents of illicit cocaine. The present study addressed the following questions: 1) How capable are dogs of detecting methyl benzoate compared to cocaine hydrochloride, 2) When dogs are trained to detect methyl benzoate, do they respond to cocaine hydrochloride as being the same or different from methyl benzoate. These questions were investigated using random source dogs trained and tested under laboratory conditions. Odor stimuli were generated and delivered by a vapor generation systems, the outputs from which were characterized by thermal desorption GC/MS. ONe group of dogs was trained to discriminate pharmaceutical grade and illicit cocaine hydrochloride from clean air and tested using a two lever procedure to determine their sensitivity to these substances. A second group of dogs was trained to discriminate between methyl benzoate and clean air and tested for their sensitivity to the substance. The dogs in this second group were then tested using a three lever procedure to determine their sensitivity to these substances. A second group of dogs was trained to discriminate between methyl benzoate and clean air and tested for their sensitivity to the substance. The dogs in this second group were then tested using a three lever procedure to determine whether they responded to cocaine hydrochloride as the same or different from methyl benzoate.

EVD detection relies on the deposition of explosives traces on the surface of the investigated object. The explosive traces are usually deposited during the preparation process, i.e. packing of the explosive device into the container. If the packaging procedure dates back several weeks, the explosives traces must be stable during this time to be detectable. This necessary stability is given for the high explosives TNT, PETN and RDX. Problems arise with substances, that have high vapor pressures like EGDN, NG and DNT.

The surface chemistry of contraband drugs is very important in many detection techniques. It is also important in choosing materials for sampling and sample handling. The chemical nature of surfaces may facilitate drug decomposition or serve to stabilize the drugs. We have developed a simple technique to study the chemistry of contraband drugs such as cocaine HCl at nanogram levels. The normal operating modes of an IONSCAN 400 ion mobility spectrometer were adjusted to allow the chemistry of the drugs to be examined in the sample chamber of the spectrometer. For example, a membrane with deposited drug is held in the sample chamber at a specified temperature up to 20 seconds with no air flow. An ON-OFF valve was placed in- line just before the carrier gas enters the desorption chamber where samples are heated. This modification allows the gas flow to be manually turned off while the sample is being heated. We have used this technique to examine the pyrolysis of cocaine hydrochloride under a variety of conditions. At the end of the designated reaction time, the air flow is turned on allowing the reaction products and any starting materials to flow into the spectrometer for analysis. This technique has allowed studies of the stability of the drugs at various temperatures on different surfaces. For example, evidence was obtained of cocaine HCl decomposition at 75 degrees for 5 seconds using Teflon as the support material. The use of this technique has also assisted us in choosing materials for pyrolysis studies in which the goal is the decompose target drugs quickly and efficiently for detection applications.

A principal method for the detection of concealed shipments of cocaine hydrochloride relies upon the intake of an air sample taken near a surface onto an analytical instrument, and the detection of the narcotic present in the air or surface materials collected. The low vapor pressure of cocaine at normal temperatures indicates that particulate material present on the surfaces of target packages affords a higher probability of collection of detectable mass than does a vapor sample. An accurate representation of the particles in question is required, both for theoretical sampler design and for the performance of meaningful tests of instrument capabilities. Existing test methods for target particle preparation call for use of sand particles ranging in size from 20 to 100 micrometers in diameter, coated with a solution of cocaine hydrochloride. In this study, three seized samples and pharmaceutical cocaine hydrochloride were analyzed using an Aerosizer to measure the size distribution of the air-dispersed particles. The results obtained during these tests indicate that the actual size range of the particles is significantly smaller than the test particles cited. Results obtained in instrument evaluations using the larger target particles may therefore be misleading.

Technological challenges in the development and testing of illicit narcotics include assuring safety of researchers and operations personnel from drug exposure, assessing the efficiency of sampling and sample handling, checking for artifacts introduced by field procedures, and maintaining quality control/quality assurance. The dye methylene blue was chosen as a simulant for cocaine HCl and heroin HCl. The similarities include the presence of fused ring systems, molecular weights over 300 g/mol, and melting points between 200 and 300 degrees C. A significant difference is that methylene blue has a much lower solubility in water than cocaine HCl and heroin HCl. Experiments have been conducted to successfully increase the solubility of the simulant to match those of cocaine HCl and heroin HCl by adding solidum methyl sulfate.

The mandate of the Contraband Detection Section is to identify, provide and maintain non-intrusive contraband detection equipment to enforcement field personnel. The Contraband Detection Section of the Intelligence and Anti-Smuggling Directorate isresponsible for the development and identification of various types of technology, x-ray program and the Detector Dog Service. These programs help reduce inspection time while enhancing the effectiveness of the customs examination process. Utilizing contraband detection equipment and detector dogs, enables our officers to conduct effective non-intrusive inspections and alsohelps focus on high risk people and goods which minimizes delays to legitimate travellers and commerce. Once a contraband detection technology has been identified, the section works with the manufacturer and the Laboratory and Scientific Services Directorate to further refine the product and ensure its suitability for Revenue Canada customs. Most of this work is achieved through both field and laboratory tests. When the technology has been made practical and deemed appropriate, the Contraband Detection Section is then responsible for the acquisition, installation, maintenance, standard operating procedures and program development for the systems and equipment. Training in the operation and monitoring of the equipment is also provided by the Section. The Contraband Detection Section is also responsible for the National Detector Dog Service. The National Coordinator arranges to acquire the equipment necessary to outfit a new DetectorDog unit. This includes acquisition of a suitable dog, training arrangements operational requirements of the region/district involved. The National Coordinator also provides functional guidance regarding proper utilization and maintenance of the Detector Dog Service teams.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and supporting agencies conducted a developmental test and evaluation (DTE) to determine if quality control aids (QCAs) could be developed that would provide effective surrogates to actual explosives used for training and testing K-9 explosives detection teams. Non-detonable surrogates are required to alleviate logistics and contamination issues with explosives used sa training aids. Comparative K-9 team detection performance for explosives used as training aids and QCAs configurations of each explosive type were evaluated to determine the optimal configuration for the QCA configuration of each explosive type were evaluated to determine the optimal configuration for the QCAs. The configurations were a paper patch impregnated with a solution of the explosive, a cloth pouch filed with small amounts of solid explosive, and the non-hazardous explosive for security training and testing material. The DTE was conducted at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where the K-9 teams undergo initial training. Six FAA certified operational teams participated. All explosives and QCAs were presented to the K-9 teams using a 10 scent box protocol. The results show that K-9 team as are more sensitive to explosives than the candidate QCAs. More importantly, it was discovered that the explosives at Lackland AFB are cross-contaminated, meaning that explosives possessed volatile artifacts from other explosives. There are two potential hypotheses explaining why the dogs did not detect the QCAs. First, the cross-contamination of Lackland training explosives may mean that K-9 teams are only trained to detect the explosives with the most volatile chemical signatures. Alternatively, the QCA configurations may have been below the trained detection threshold of the K-9s. It is recommended that K-9 teams train on uncontaminated odors from properly designed QCAs to ensure that dogs respond to the appropriate explosive components, and not some other constituent or contaminant.