Fires Involving Explosives

Question 1

Initial action steps

Robots Dismantle Explosives If Good

Answer 1

Remember there may be a secondary device at the scene including in a nearby building or vehicle. DON’T HANDLE OR INTERFERE WIRH ANYTHING UNFAMILIAR

Do not use cell phones, portable radios or transmitting devices

Evacuate the scene to a distance of at least 100 meters. Ensure persons leaving bring personal possessions with them which will limit number of items to be cleared. Consider explosives detector dog.

if IED is located immediately obtain assistance of an IED operator from department of labour (DOL). Consider using defence force expert of DOL unavailable.

Give regular SITREPs to comms

Question 2

Examining the scene Action

Fire involving Explosives

Answer 2

1) conduct scene exam once the scene has been declared safe. Use video and photographs.
2) remember to continually reconstruct
3) request attendance of suitably experienced ESR analyst. Ask them to bring suitable material for swabbing the scene, hands and clothing of any suspects

Question 3

Identifying the explosive

Answer 3

1) give priority to identifying the explosive used as evidence will be crucial to a prosecution. Expert may be able to advise the likely type of explosive from an examination of the nature of the damage done. MAYBE OVERTURNED BY SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS. The more powerful the explosive the less residue it leaves and the more directed the explosion.
2) low powered explosive will explode in a general manner causing Falange and spreading debris over roughly the same distance in all directions. Such explosives need to be confined to have any real effect. A low powers explosive can become a higher powered explosive through such confinement.
3) explosives that explode at a rate of 1200-5000 meters per second are characterised by the fact that damage occurs in a “least line of resistance” pattern. This means windows, doors and lights will blow out.
4) explosives that explode at a rate greater than 5000mps do so in a directional manner. Sometimes they explode straight up and down in a definable blast pattern causing directional damage and items that miss the directional blast are not seriously damaged as might be expected.
5) O/C scene may need to authorise the expert to enter the centre of the scene before it has been fully examined because residues are often slight and dissipate rapidly. In this case

• create a path to the centre by laying a clean unused roll of plastic or approved stepping plates
• ESR analyst to start swabbing the area immediately (work outwards from the seat of the explosion)
• vertical sheets of iron adjacent to the blast such as street signs and fencing are often good sources of residue.

Ensure that the items used are all carefully cleaned before use to avoid cross contamination.

6) may be necessary to remove body parts promptly before they decompose and animal and insect activity contaminates the scene.
7) record your impressions of any odours you detect.

Question 4

Ehitbits

Answer 4

Photograph and label

Preserve in containers

Consider what is relevant and will assist in the investigation.

Seek advice from explosive expert before searching suspects home/property

Question 5

Linking the suspect with the scene

Answer 5

Look for fingerprints and handwriting samples

IED operator maybe able to identify the “signature” of the the offender.

Consider items from the suspects home and property that may link them to the scene.

Tool marks and footprints

Question 6

Bodies

Answer 6

Obtain the services of and experienced pathologist

Considerable evidence can me obtained from bodies who died in proximity to the blast.

Individuals may be dismembered.

A Sharp directional and efficient explosive that explodes at a very fast rate with often cause injuries to an particular part of the body as opposed to entire body mass.

Consider using X-ray to recover exhibits from body parts

Question 7

Media

Answer 7

Don’t speculate to the media on the possible explosive used as such speculation will likely be traversed in court.

Media interest can create red hearing theories which are unhelpful to a protracted offender unknown enquiry.

Allocate one person to deal with the media to avoid differing accounts and maintain control over what is released.

Question 8

Reconstructing the explosion

Answer 8

If you are unable to identify the explosive using scientific analysis consider reconstructing the explosion.

Must be carried out only:
• under the supervision of the O/C scene
• at a suitable range or site
• in conditions as close to those of the original explosion as possible
• in close association with explosives and scientific advisors
• as a scientific test

Should be video recorded and photographed to provide a record for subsequent prosecution.

Explosive expert must carefully record details of each charge fired. Should be sufficient number and range of explosions to enable the explosives expert and specialist to provide reliable evidence on court