Aerosol Spray to Identify Bombing Suspects

RedHanded writes "Forensic chemists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a color-changing spray that can identify people suspected of making or planting bombs. The chemical turns from yellow to bright red when it comes into contact with urea nitrate, an explosive residue that may be left behind on the hands of someone who has handled an improvised device."

Re:Basic hygiene

[Anonymous Coward]

From the article:

Spraying this substance in the air will show the farts of anyone in the room as a blue haze.

Ha ! Finally some way to track down the lactose intolerant!

First silly string, now spray paint?

[damn_registrars]

I recall that troops in Iraq had already started using silly string to detect IED's. Now we're going to spray paint people to try to find who made the bombs? I'm waiting to see what 7-11 product shows up on the battlefeild next...

Re:Basic hygiene

[Anonymous Coward]

They go to the bathroom and end up with explosive residue on their hands?

Wow, I sure wouldn't want to be in the other stall when they're going. That gives new meaning to the words explosive diarrhea.

Hopefully, it is not a

[davidsyes]

piss-poor detector...

(captcha: enrage)

I am against this...

[feepness]

I think labeling people as terrorists because of their color is just wrong.

Re:Basic hygiene

[fbjon]

I was thinking more like: yellow is neutral, red is enemy. So, air-burst a big bomb with this, take satellite pics, and you have an instant minimap!

You Know You've Read Slashdot Too Long...

[Looshi]

...when your first thought is the effect on the rights of the bomb makers.

Re:bomb makers or...

[Osty]

Washing them when you go is disgusting.

No it's not. It's multi-tasking!

I'm just waiting

[kiehlster]

*sprays person's hands*
Is it red? Is it red?
Is it- BOOM!

Re:Basic hygiene

[Anonymous Coward]

Just don't be offended if I don't shake your hand buddy.

He has a hand buddy? That's awesome. But yeah, I don't suggest you shake it.

Red Handed

[morphiussys]

...And yet I have not heard anyone say anything about being caught red handed. :p

(Although on that note, I did not scroll through ALL the responses for this story)

Re:Basic hygiene

[bloobloo]

Don't you think it's more likely to be used when you go through security? You don't get random people walking up to you in the airport and pulling out an x-ray machine, do you?

Re:Basic hygiene

[djasbestos]

Damn, I knew I should not have submitted to a cavity search by an "undercover security officer".