Now in its second edition, Forensic Investigation of Explosions draws on the editor’s 30 years of explosives casework experience, including his work on task forces set up to investigate major explosives incidents. Dr. Alexander Beveridge provides a broad, multidisciplinary approach, assembling the contributions of internationally recognized experts who present the definitive reference work on the subject. Topics discussed include: The physics and chemistry of explosives and explosions The detection of hidden explosives The effect of explosions on structures and persons Aircraft sabotage investigations Explosion scene investigations Casework management The role of forensic scientists Analysis of explosives and their residues Forensic pathology as it relates to explosives Presentation of expert testimony With nearly 40 percent more material, this new edition contains revised chapters and several new topics, including: A profile of casework management in the UK Forensic Explosives Laboratory, one of the world’s top labs, with a discussion of their management system, training procedures, and practical approaches to problem solving Properties and analysis of improvised explosives An examination of the Bali bombings and the use of mobile analytical techniques and mobile laboratories The collection, analysis, and presentation of evidence in vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cases, as evidenced in attacks on US overseas targets This volume offers valuable information to all members of prevention and post-blast teams. Each chapter was written by an expert or experts in a specific field and provides well-referenced information underlying best practices that can be used in the field, laboratory, conference room, classroom, or courtroom.

This text has been shaped by the editor's experiences on task forces set up to investigate major explosives incidents and related civil and criminal proceedings. Chapters cover methods, applications, quality control, and significance of forensic chemistry, aircraft sabotage investigation, forensic pathology, and presentation of expert testimony. Contributors provide descriptions of the physics and chemistry of explosions and explosives, the detection of hidden explosives, and the procedures carried out at the scenes of gas explosions in buildings. Experienced professionals from industry, government, and the medical and legal professionals provide accounts of the developments and techniques in each of their subject areas.

An uncanny calm settles on the scene. The blaze is out. A soggy, sooty mess remains. Most of us wouldn't have a clue where to begin, yet fire and explosion investigators know precisely where and how to dig in. Other books in this series show that documents, fingerprints, a stray hair, fibers, bullets, tool marks, blood spatter, SNA, cigarette butts, insects, or even a simple candy wrapper can provide clinching proof in many legal cases—but fire and bombs destroy these bits of evidence. What clues can forensic scientists possibly glean from rubble and ash? Using real-life stories as examples, Explosives & Arson Investigation explores the world of fire—and bomb-scene investigation. From first-on-the-scene priorities to collecting and documenting evidence to lab analysis and its procedures, then finally assessing motive, this book reveals basic fire characteristics, what investigators look for, how they process what they find, the meaning of specific clues, and common motives—all while highlighting various forensic careers.

Now in its Third Edition, Practical Bomb Scene Investigation explores the investigative process that improvised explosive device (IED) specialists undertake at the scene of an explosion. Providing easy-to-understand, step-by-step procedures for managing and processing a bomb scene, it enables investigators to find the evidence and then make sense of what is found. The book is not only a roadmap on how to find and collect evidence and assess the scene, but also provides instruction on identifying the bombmaker's signature through latent print, DNA, explosive residue, metallurgical, and toolmark examination and forensic analysis.

An up-to-date handbook, with the latest advances including all the various methods and techniques for analyzing explosives. Explosive compounds and mixtures, residues--their recovery and clean-up procedures--chromatography, polarography, spectroscopy, environmental analysis and mass spectroscopy are among the topics covered.