Post-Blast Analysis
Definition
The forensic examination of debris, fragments, and residues recovered from an explosion scene. Aims to characterise the explosive compound, initiator type, device construction, and any traceable components for intelligence and prosecution purposes.
- Material examined
- Debris, fragments and residues from an explosion scene
- Aim 1
- Identify the explosive compound
- Aim 2
- Characterise initiator type and device construction
- Purpose
- Support intelligence and prosecution
Common questions
What physical evidence besides chemical residue does it examine?+
Beyond residue chemistry, it examines fragment metallurgy, crater and blast-damage geometry, and recovered device components such as wiring, batteries or timer parts, since these can indicate construction method even when residue is too degraded to analyse.
Why is the seat of the explosion prioritised in evidence collection?+
Unconsumed explosive and reaction by-products are most concentrated close to the point of detonation, so debris and surfaces nearest that point give the best chance of a positive chemical identification before residues disperse or degrade.
Related terms
- ATF NCETR
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Center for Explosives Training and Research, based at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The US federal...
- BDDS
- Bomb Disposal and Detection Service, operated by state police forces in India. Provides operational post-blast scene management and preliminary evidence collection, with...
- CFSL
- Central Forensic Science Laboratory: a central government lab operating under DFSS. India has CFSLs at New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Pune, Guwahati,...
- DSTL Fort Halstead
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory site in Kent, UK. The principal institutional capacity for explosives forensic science in the UK, handling major...
- ENFSI EWG
- European Network of Forensic Science Institutes Explosives Working Group. Coordinates best-practice manuals, proficiency testing, and method harmonisation for explosives forensic science across...
- Ignitable Liquid Residue (ILR)
- Petroleum-derived or synthetic liquid accelerant residue surviving in fire debris. Identified by GC-MS against the ASTM E1618 classification system, which groups ILRs...
- NFPA 921
- US National Fire Protection Association Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The internationally accepted methodology Indian fire investigators and SFSL fire divisions...
- Origin-and-Cause Determination
- The two-part forensic conclusion in fire investigation: the physical location where the fire started (origin) and the mechanism that produced the initial...
- Undetermined (NFPA 921)
- The NFPA 921 conclusion category that records insufficient evidence to establish origin or cause at the 'possible' level or above. Represents the...