Determining Explosivity Part II: Comparison of Small-Scale Cartridge Tests to Actual Pipe Bombs

• NCJ Number: 191315
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2001 Pages: 1070-1075
• Author(s): Jimmie C. Oxley Ph.D.; James L. Smith Ph.D.; Elmo Resende M.S.
• Date Published: September 2001
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared the results of a small-scale explosivity device (SSED) test with field studies of pipe bombs.

Abstract

The small-scale explosivity device (SSED) has been used in the assessment of explosive power of a number of low explosives such as smokeless powders, pyrodex, black powder, and an improvised explosive. This study compared the data from the small-scale explosivity device (SSED) with the fragmentation of pipe bombs containing 300 to 700g of powder. The SSED provided the same relative ordering of explosivity as suggested by the fragmentation of the real devices. The SSED was also used to evaluate the chemical residue remaining after the explosion. Issues in using the device were probed using 3 high explosives, TNT, Tetryl, and RDX. Tables, graphs, and references