This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature for the analysis and detection of explosives and explosives residues from 2016-2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/Resources/Documents#Publications.

Interpol review of detection and characterization of explosives and explosives residues 2016-2019

Detonators are explosive devices used for the initiation of secondary explosives in commercial and military applications. They are characterized by their initiating capability, which is a critical factor for their safe and effective use but challenging to assess accurately. In this two-part study, we employ numerical simulations to investigate the blast wave generated by detonators and examine their initiating capability. The first part, presented here, follows the European underwater test of initiating capability, which evaluates detonators in isolation (direct method) and the second part considers detonators placed within a receiving explosive charge (indirect method). In the underwater test, the detonator is ignited inside a water tank and the initiating capability is assessed through pressure measurements in the far field. We employ a multiphysics methodology that allows the use of distinct mathematical models for each component such as two-phase reactive materials, elastic–plastic solids, and inert fluids. The computational implementation is validated against underwater experiments and is employed for the simulation of the blast wave generated by different types of detonators. The initial focus is on the general characteristics of the blast wave and subsequently on the differences between detonators of different shell material and thickness. Results show that the blast wave in the near field is asymmetric and varies significantly between detonators, but these features do not persist in the far field. The underwater test considers only the far field and is thus unable to capture the near field differences, which have a significant impact on the initiation of secondary explosives.

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Multiphysics modeling of the initiating capability of detonators. I. The underwater test

Implicit fast sweeping method for hyperbolic systems of conservation laws

Book reviewLees’ Loss Prevention in the Process Industries: Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control, vol. III, third ed., Sam Mannan (Ed.), Elsevier, Butterworths, Heinemann, Burlington, MA (2005), three-volume set, US$ 476.00, 1071 pp.), ISBN 0-7506-7555-1 (three-volume set), ISBN 0-7506-7589-3 (vol. III)

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High resolution compact implicit numerical scheme for conservation laws

This paper overviews a complete method for the characterization of the explosive energy output from a standard detonator. Measurements of the output of explosives are commonly based upon the detonation parameters of the chemical energy content of the explosive. These quantities provide a correct understanding of the energy stored in an explosive, but they do not provide a direct measure of the different modes in which the energy is released. This optically based technique combines high-speed and ultra-high-speed imaging to characterize the casing fragmentation and the detonator-driven shock load. The procedure presented here could be used as an alternative to current indirect methods—such as the Trauzl lead block test—because of its simplicity, high data accuracy, and minimum demand for test repetition. This technique was applied to experimentally measure air shock expansion versus time and calculating the blast wave energy from the detonation of the high explosive charge inside the detonator. Direct measurements of the shock front geometry provide insight into the physics of the initiation buildup. Because of their geometry, standard detonators show an initial ellipsoidal shock expansion that degenerates into a final spherical wave. This non-uniform shape creates variable blast parameters along the primary blast wave. Additionally, optical measurements are validated using piezoelectric pressure transducers. The energy fraction spent in the acceleration of the metal shell is experimentally measured and correlated with the Gurney model, as well as to several empirical formulations for blasts from fragmenting munitions. The fragment area distribution is also studied using digital particle imaging analysis and correlated with the Mott distribution. Understanding the fragmentation distribution plays a critical role when performing hazard evaluation from these types of devices. In general, this technique allows for characterization of the detonator within 6–8% error with no knowledge of the amount or type of explosive contained within the shell, making it also suitable for the study of unknown improvised explosive devices.

Characterizing the energy output generated by a standard electric detonator using shadowgraph imaging

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Comparing different water equations of state for aquarium tests

We present our discovery of switchable high explosives (HEs) as a new class of energetic material that cannot detonate unless filled with a fluid. The performance of fluid-filled additive-manufactured HE lattices is herein evaluated by analysis of detonation velocity and Gurney energy. The Gurney energy of the unfilled lattice was 98% lower than that of the equivalent water-filled lattice and changing the fluid mechanical properties allowed tuning of the Gurney energy and detonation velocity by 8.5% and 13.4%, respectively. These results provide, for the first time since the development of HEs, a method to completely remove the hazard of unplanned detonations during storage and transport.

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Eduardo Lozano

Papers

Implicit fast sweeping method for hyperbolic systems of conservation laws

Characterizing the energy output generated by a standard electric detonator using shadowgraph imaging

Comparing different water equations of state for aquarium tests

Switchable Explosives: Performance Tuning of Fluid-Activated High Explosive Architectures.

An Eulerian multimaterial framework for simulating high-explosive aquarium tests