Tracking the
Terrorists: Forensic Analysis of Explosives
Michael Sigman
Professor, Chemistry
Director, National
Center for Forensic Science
Forensic analysis of post blast debris is complicated by the
destructive nature of explosives. The isomeric composition and presence
of synthetic by-products can be important keys in identifying the possible
origin of the material. Industrial and military explosives are often easier to
identify than homemade explosives, and the homemade peroxide explosives are
more difficult to study since they are not commercially available. This
presentation will focus on research at the National Center for Forensic Science
in the analysis of commercial explosives and peroxide explosives triacetone
triperoxide (TATP), methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) and hexamethylene
triperoxide diamine. These peroxide explosive are popular with
terrorists.
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