EXPLOSIVES
Explosives are substances that undergo a rapid oxidation reaction with the production of large
quantities of gases. It is this sudden buildup of gas pressure that results in an explosion. An explosion
is defined as a chemical reaction or mechanical action resulting in the rapid expansion of gases
within the explosives’ container. An explosive consists of an explosive material or mixture, a
container, and an ignition source.
For example, an explosive may consist of a container such as a PVC pipe capped at both ends, filled
with dynamite, and attached to a lead wire ignited with a spark from a timing device or a safety fuse
(black powder core coated with fiber and a waterproofing outer layer) lit with a match.
The speed at which explosives decompose underlies their classification as high or low explosives.
Low explosives are defined as explosives that result in a blast of less than 1000 m/s or less than the
speed of sound. With low explosives, there is deflagration (burning), a very rapid oxidation that
produces heat, light, and a subsonic pressure wave, but not detonation.
High explosives result in a blast detonation or chemical explosion of more than 1000 m/s velocity (to
8500 m/s) with a smashing or shattering effect.
Low explosives include black powder and smokeless powder (e.g., nitrated cotton or nitrocellulose
single-base powder or nitroglycerin mixed with nitrocellulose double-base powder), chlorate
mixtures (potassium chlorate and sugar or carbon, sulfur, starch, phosphorous, magnesium filings,
and initiated by sulfuric acid), and gas–air mixtures using natural gas (such as methane 5.3%–13.9%).
While fuels that power a fire may be hydrocarbons without their own oxygen, explosives
characteristically contain oxygen atoms in their structures, especially in the form of reactive nitrates,
chlorates, perchlorates, and peroxides.
The oxygen atoms serve as the final electron receptor. (Other atoms may also be used as the
electron receptor, although oxygen is very common.) For example, black powder contains 75%
potassium nitrate, 15% charcoal, and 10% sulfur. Gunpowder contains 15 parts potassium nitrate, 3
parts charcoal, and 2 parts sulfur. The chemical reaction on its detonation is shown in Equation 14.2.
Approximately 50% of the black powder burns, producing residue traces of K+, NO3−, SO42−, SCN−,
HS−, and OCN−.
The majority of commercial and military explosives are high explosives.
Commercial explosives are manufactured products used for blasting rock for construction
applications including preparations for roads, basements, and parking garages. High explosives
consist of primary and secondary types.
Primary explosives include mercury fulminate (Hg(CNO)2), silver fulminate (AgCNO), lead azide
(Pb(N3)2), lead styphnate (PbC6HN3O8), diazonitrophenol (C6H2N4O5), and silver azide (AgN3).
Primary high explosives are ultrasensitive to shock, friction, and heat. These are used as a detonating
charge. Secondary high explosives include nitroglycerin, ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO), ethylene
glycol dinitrate (EGDN), trinitrotoluene (TNT), tetraethyl pyrophosphate (TEPP),
trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (Tetryl), cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), high melting-point
explosive (HMX), and triacetone triperoxide (TATP). They are more stable to shock, heat, and friction
than primary [Link] most famous commercial high explosive is dynamite, created by Alfred
Nobel (namesake of the Nobel Prizes) in 1867 when he adsorbed nitroglycerin onto kieselguhr or
diatomaceous earth to desensitize it. The resulting material, “pulp dynamite,” was easier and less
dangerous to handle and ship.
EVIDENCE COLLECTION
◆ Bags, new (e.g., sealable, nylon).
◆ Boxes, corrugated/fiberboard.
◆ Brushes and brooms.
◆ Cans, new (e.g., unlined).
◆ Evidence flags/cones.
◆ Evidence placards.
◆ Evidence tags.
◆ Evidence sealing tape.
◆ Gloves (i.e., disposable cotton, disposable latex).
◆ Grid markers.
◆ Heat sealer.
◆ Magnets.
◆ Outerwear, protective (e.g., disposable suits, shoe covers).
◆ Rakes, spades, and shovels.
◆ Sifters/screens.
◆ Swabbing kits.
◆ Trowels.
◆ Vacuum
COLLECTION AND DETERMINATION OF TRACE EVIDENCE OF EXPLOSIVE RESIDUES FROM VICTIM’S
SKIN
In most deaths caused by explosive, the victim's body becomes a depot for fragments of explosive
materials, so contributing to the collection of trace evidence which may provide clues about the
specific type of device used with explosion.
. Improvised explosive devices are used which contain "homemade" explosives rather than high
explosives because of the relative ease with which such components can be procured. Many
methods such as chromatography-mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy,
stereomicroscopy, capillary electrophoresis are available for use in the identification of explosive
residues on objects and bomb fragments
Identification and reconstruction of the distribution of explosive residues on the decedent's body
may give additional hints in assessing the position of the victim in relation to the device. Traditionally
these residues are retrieved by swabbing the body and clothing during the early phase, at autopsy.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and other analytical methods may be used to analyze the
material swabbed from the victim body. The histological examination of explosive residues on skin
samples collected during the autopsy may reveal significant details. The information about type,
quantity and particularly about anatomical distribution of explosive residues obtained utilizing
confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) together with inductively coupled plasma atomic
emission spectrometer (ICP-AES), may provide very significant evidence in the clarification and
reconstruction of the explosive-related events
EVIDENCE THAT MAY BE COLLECTED FROM THE SCENE
A detailed investigation of a blast site will reveal crucial clues to lead the investigation. By thoroughly
documenting the condition of the scene, including any structural damage and injuries or fatalities,
investigators can slowly piece together what occurred.
Fragments of an exploded device will often be left intact, including switches, wiring, timers and
circuit boards. If the timer was made from a unique type of watch, for instance, that information
could help narrow the search for who created the device or where it may have come from.
After an explosion, residue from the explosive that was used will be left behind. To identify the type
of explosive used, investigators may use an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS), a handheld chemical
detection device, to identify residues that may be present around the blast site.
For large-scale incidents, the area of investigation may be expansive, like in the bombing of the Pan
Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988 created the largest crime scene in the world. It
stretched for more than 1,200 square miles. By painstakingly piecing together the wreckage that was
found in this area, investigators identified trace amounts of explosives that helped confirm the
incident was indeed caused by a terrorist attack. Two hundred seventy people died that day—259 on
the plane and 11 residents of Lockerbie.
In addition to collecting physical evidence, video footage may be available from security cameras or
from witnesses’ cell phones. Investigators will also interview witnesses and victims to gather crucial
details.
HOW THE EVIDENCE IS COLLECTED
If an undetonated device is located, it must first be rendered safe. A bomb should never be moved
from where it was found because it could detonate. This should only be conducted by a qualified
bomb technician. Safety is the primary consideration; damage to a structure can be repaired, but
injury to a person could be life-altering or fatal.
To examine the type of explosive, bomb technicians use remote robotic equipment to take pictures
of the device, or even to detonate the bomb. Robots are commonly fitted with a device that can
shoot a high velocity jet of water into the device, disrupting it. The bomb squad technician can then
move in to confirm the area is safe and law enforcement can begin an investigation.
A bomb squad technician may also use a portable X-ray tool to examine a suspicious package to
determine if it contains an explosive. X-rays are commonly used in airports to examine luggage to
ensure baggage does not contain explosive devices.
Before being transported from the scene, all physical evidence is photographed, packaged, placed
into containers, labeled and secured. Evidence could even be lodged in the bodies of victims or a
suicide bomber. The body can be examined via X-ray images and the evidence retrieved if necessary.
If a community doesn’t have its own specialized unit to handle explosives, it will have an agreement
with a nearby bomb squad to handle these types of situations.
WHO CONDUCTS THE ANALYSIS
Several professionals may be involved in examining explosives evidence or a destructive device. A
chemist who is specially trained examines items for explosive residues. This practitioner may work in
concert with explosive device specialists who have knowledge of electrical components, expertise in
device reconstruction and an understanding of post-blast damage.
HOW AND WHERE THE ANALYSIS IS PERFORMED
Once a device is rendered safe, it can be analyzed like any other piece of evidence to search for leads
regarding who was responsible for creating and deploying the device. If large fragments of the
device are retrieved, DNA or fingerprints may be present that analysts can attempt to match to a
suspect. DNA profiles are compared to DNA database.
Post-blast explosive residues can be analyzed using a variety of techniques such as infrared
spectroscopy, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Raman
spectroscopy and other techniques. Learn more about drug chemistry ▸
Explosive devices can be searched against several national databases that are maintained to identify
trends in the manufacture of explosives, and track bomb and device designs employed by serial
bombers and terrorist groups. These databases include the FBI’s Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical
Center, the ATF’s Arson and Explosives National Repository and the National Fire Incident Reporting
System.