NCJ Number
123756
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 57 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1990) Pages: 20,24,26,28
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) forensic science laboratories examine evidence from over 800 domestic bombings per year.
Abstract
Many of these bombings involve pipe bombs having smokeless powder as the explosive filler. Because brand and type identification of the powder can provide a significant lead in a bombing investigation, the laboratory has developed a simple, effective method that identifies powders from a single smokeless powder particle. This method uses particle morphology and precise measurements of the recovered particles, allowing a quick search of commercial powders on file in a data base to identify possible powder sources. ATF's forensic laboratories have also developed a unique gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) approach called target compound ration (TCR) analysis to solve the problem of correctly identifying potential accelerants in arson investigations. The ATF's National Response Teams recognizes the effectiveness of the team approach in solving complex investigations involving many technical and scientific disciplines. 4 notes.