The Spatial Distribution of Postblast RDX Residue: Forensic Implications |
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| Authors: | Nadia Abdul‐Karim MRes Ruth Morgan DPhil Russell Binions PhD Tracey Temple MSc Karl Harrison PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Security and Crime Science, University College London, , London, WC1H 9EZ U.K;2. Department of Chemistry, University College London, Christopher Ingold Laboratories, , London, WC1H 0AJ U.K;3. Jill Dando Institute, Centre for the Forensic Sciences, University College London, , London, WC1H 9EZ U.K;4. School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, , London, E1 4NS U.K;5. Department of Engineering and Applied Science, Cranfield University, Defence College of Management and Technology, , Swindon, SN6 8LA U.K |
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| Abstract: | Locating exactly where trace explosive residue samples should be sought during sample collection at bomb scenes is not specified in the published literature or guidelines; in this area, it is generally acknowledged that forensic practices are based on tradition rather than evidence. This study investigated patterns in the spatial distribution of postblast 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazocyclohexane residue from a series of unconfined detonations, over a range of sampling sites, and at two different detonation heights. The amount of residue recovered from the sites decreased as a function of distance from the center of the explosion. Correction added after online publication 27 December 2012: In the preceding sentence, “increased” was corrected to “decreased” to agree with the conclusion of the article.] As the height of the detonations increased, more residues were found from all sampling sites. The findings of this empirical study have a number of important practical implications including determining where residue samples are best sought at crime scenes. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science explosive residue residue distribution sample location 1 3 5‐trinitro‐1 3 5‐triazocyclohexane (RDX) postblast analysis bomb scene examination |
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