Improved methods were developed for the isolation and purification of explosives traces on handswabs. Silica capillary column gas chromatography with electron capture detection was used to analyse the cleaned-up extracts. The methods were applied to the analysis of nitroglycerine in firearm discharge residues deposited on hands and clothing by various weapons and different types of ammunition. We also describe improvements in the thin layer chromatography of nitroaromatic explosives on handswabs using an iminobispropylamine spray to form charge transfer complexes.