Chapter Eighteen Part II –

Explosive InvestigationsFRSC 8104

Criminalistics IIProfessor Bensley

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 ObjectivesAfter studying this chapter, the student

should be able to: Describe the various types of explosives

and explosions Understand how explosives evidence is

analyzed

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 OutlineI. Introduction

A. Definition of an explosion

Anatomy of an explosion

Anatomy of an ExplosionVideo: Anatomy of an Explosion - The Shockwave

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 OutlineII. Explosive Classification

A. Low Explosives (Propellants)1. Speed of deflagration (burning)2. Black Powder (Gun powder)

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 Outline3. Smokeless Powder

Black and smokeless powders. (a) ''perforated disc'' smokeless

powder. (b) "tube" smokeless powder. (c) "cut square" smokeless powder.(d) "disc" smokeless powder. (e) Grade Fg black powder. (f) Grade FFFg (3Fg) black powder.

Photographs a to d courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Chemistry Unit's powder morphology database.

Photographs e and f courtesy of Rho Sigma Associates, Inc.

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 OutlineB. High Explosives

1. Speed of detonation 2. 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene3. RDX

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 Outline4. Nitroglycerin

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 Outline5. Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate

Northwest Flight 253 – 80 grams of PETN (12/25/09)

What would have happened…

And another one…

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 Outline6. Ethylene Glycol Dinitrate7. Ammonium Nitrate (ANFO)

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 Outline8. Military Explosives (C-4)

USS Cole (10/12/2000)

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 Outline

C. Initiators (Primary Explosives –

Blasting Caps)

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 OutlineIII. Laboratory Analysis

A. Chromatography1. TLC

2. GC (GC/MS and GC/FTIR)3. HPLC

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 OutlineB. IRC. RDX (X-ray Diffraction not to be confused with

RDX the explosive!)

FRSC 8104 – Chapter 18 OutlineD. Spot Tests (Field Tests included)

Rose Apartments 11/11/12

Rose Apartments 11/11/12

Rose Apartments 11/11/12

Rose Apartments 11/11/12

Rose Apartments 11/11/12

Rose Apartments 11/11/12