Survivability of explosive residue on IED components subjected to an underwater detonation
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Authors
Prasek, David J.
Issue Date
2015
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy , Liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy , Post blast investigation , Under water improvised explosive device
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study was conducted to better understand viability of explosive residue after a detonation in the water column. How the amount oft ime in the water may degrade the ability to detect explosive residue as well how different materials will absorb different amounts of explosive residue. The intent oft his project is to evaluate current operating procedures to ensure investigators have the knowledge to maximize their efforts and reduce the amount oft ime on scene.
This research is based on the survivability of explosive residues in a maritime environment. This was an empirical study with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Naval Surface Warfare Centers. Improvised explosive device models were detonated in an explosive test pond and were allowed to sit in the water for specific amounts oft ime in order to ascertain whether it was possible to extract and identify post blast residue as well as identify a trend showing the degradation of recoverable residue over a measured period of time.
The FBI and BATFE labs played a significant role in the identification using both Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectroscopy and Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy. Explosive residue was identifiable in all of the models that were detonated. Explosive residue could be recovered from various materials tested, however this test was unable to identify an accurate trend line in the degradation of explosive residue over time.
This research showed that it was possible to identify explosive residue from various types of material that were detonated in the maritime environment. This study showed that the ideal time to collect residue was within one hour of detonation. Identification was also possible after 120 hours after detonation, but the amount of identifiable residue was greatly reduced. The information will be useful to investigators that are tasked to respond to maritime explosive incidents by giving them a timeline of when they will be the most successful in collecting evidence.