9/18/2015 Crime Scene Investigation for Explosive Incidents Prof. Charles L. Feer Department of Criminal Justice

9/18/2015 Bomb Scene Investigations Start as Local L.E. Investigation F.B.I. investigates Terrorism A.T.F. & E. investigates explosives E.O.D. (Bomb Techs) Be Aware of Secondary Devices! Madrid Iraq Madrid Iraq Do not enter until told “safe” Assessing safety is on-going. Turkey News Turkey 2 Turkey News Turkey 2

9/18/2015 Explosion An explosion is: A sudden and rapid escape of gases from a confined space. Accompanied by high temperatures, violent shock, and loud noise. Pipe Bomb Pipe Bomb

9/18/2015 Three Types of Explosions Mechanical Chemical Nuclear

9/18/2015 Mechanical Explosion Occurs when pressure builds up in a container until the pressure exceeds the structural resistance of the container. Alley Effect Alley Effect

Chemical Explosion Are the result of fuel and oxygen supporting rapid combustion. Redneck Bomb Maker Redneck Bomb Maker 9/18/2015

Atomic Explosions Are produced by Fission – splitting the nuclei of atoms; or, Fusion which forces the nuclei of atoms together under great pressure.

9/18/2015 Energetic Materials Two broad categories of Explosions: 1) Low Explosives – burn rather than explode. (Need to be contained) 2) High Explosives – detonate by shock. (Do not have to be confined.)

High Explosives Three groups: Primary – detonate forcefully, sensitive to heat, shock, friction. Secondary - require a detonating device or initiating explosion. Tertiary – require a booster or a secondary high explosive to detonate. 9/18/2015

Upon Detonation 1) Shock wave moves. Slow Mo Pressure 2) Air rushes back into void created by positive pressure. Positive – Negative Pressure 3) Fragmentation (container) and Shrapnel (attached to bomb). Flying – LE Flying – Iraq Slow Mo Pressure Positive – Negative Pressure Flying – LE Flying – Iraq

Locating and Collecting Evidence Do NOT go in without a Bomb Tech! Locate Crater – indicates the origin of the blast. Soil samples must be gathered from all areas surrounding the crater. Locate remnants of the detonating mechanism. 9/18/2015

Locating and Collecting Evidence Remnants can include blasting caps, batteries, match heads, cell phones, walkie-talkies, timers. Think – Fingerprints! Think – DNA! 9/18/2015

Locating and Collecting Evidence Indoor Scene – Each room should be treated as a separate crime scene. Outdoor Scene – Locate the debris furthest from the crater, and double the distance for your perimeter. If a suspect is arrested – collect all clothing and personal items. (Seal everything in paper bags.)

Explosive Incidents Think Hazardous Materials! Transportation of Haz-Mat materials, including explosives require special conditions. 9/18/2015

Questions? 9/18/2015