ABSTRACT
Explosives, and their use, are a widespread and everyday feature of modern society, essential in a variety of mining, civil engineering, and military projects. In some areas, their availability and ease of acquisition have made explosives very common indeed. ›ey have also long been regarded by the criminal fraternity as an extremely potent tool, to ežect entry and for the destruction of property and people. As the subversive use of explosives increases, particularly with the establishment of a concerted and sustained terrorist campaign of violence, so the impact and consequent demands on the various investigative
18.1 Introduction 725 18.2 Types of Explosives Encountered in Terrorist Bombings 726
18.2.1 Commercial/Military Explosives 726 18.2.2 Improvised/Homemade Explosives 727
18.3 Recovery and Processing of Residues 727 18.3.1 Recovery of Post-Blast Residues 728 18.3.2 Recovery of Residues from a Person Suspected of Handling Explosives 728
18.3.2.1 Hand Swabbing Kit 729 18.3.3 Precautions to Prevent Cross-Contamination in Handling in the Field 729 18.3.4 Precautions to Prevent Cross-Contamination in Handling in the Laboratory 730
18.3.4.1 Analytical Protocols 730 18.4 Interpretation and Signi‡cance of Results 734
18.4.1 Pertinent Factors In˜uencing Interpretation and Signi‡cance 734 18.4.1.1 Are Explosives’ Residues Present? 734 18.4.1.2 What Are ›ese Materials and Where Do ›ey Occur? 735 18.4.1.3 What Are the Background Levels? 736 18.4.1.4 Environmental Samples 737 18.4.1.5 How Much Is Present? 737 18.4.1.6 How Could Material Be Present Where It Was Found? 738
18.4.2 Evaluation 738 18.5 Summary 738 References 739 Further Reading 739
agencies, including, of necessity, forensic science organizations, increase dramatically. ›e illegal use of explosives ranges from the inclusion of ‡reworks, black powder, and small arms propellants in relatively amateurish devices to the more sophisticated, organized criminal or politically motivated use of high explosives.
