Investigating & Detecting
Explosives
10 KAPOW / May 2014
Investigating
In order for the investigation to begin, the scene must first be deemed safe. An explosion can cause a lot of damage. There could be sharp or dangerous debris and unsteady buildiings. The nvestigation will prove if an explosion has occured. As stated in the Explosives Dictionary, certain types of explosions leave different types of evidence. Investigators will look for specific evidence. The spot where the explosion happened will also be visible due to special damage from high heat. Fragments might have flown far away, so investigators must be patient and look everywhere. Fragments found are used in order to "re-create" the bomb. Investigators typically look for tape, detonators, timers, switches, and wires. Re-creating the bomb can help the case by pointing to where the bomb was planted and what kind of bomb it was, leading to the possible motive.
Detecting
Detecting explosive residue also helps the investigation. One of the oldest methods is to use dogs trained to sniff out chemical smells. There are also tech devices that act in a similar manner as the dog's nose. While searching scenes, an X-ray device is sometimes used to detect a possible other explosive.
Lindsay Zabawar