NCJ Number
131250
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 1044-1052
Date Published
1991
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The Division of Identification and Forensic Science (DIFS) of the Israel Police and the Bomb Disposal Division examined the feasibility of detecting primer discharge residue (PDR) on suspects in hand grenade throwing incidents.
Abstract
Two types of hand grenades, the Israel Military (IM) No. 26 and Russian F-1, were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX). Particles were collected directly from within the primer cup after its detonation or on an adhesive backed stub positioned near the venthole of the mechanism. The procedure used for particle analysis was the CamScan/Metropolitan Police automatic particle analysis systems. Test throwings of the grenades, both outdoors and indoors, and videotapes showed that a cloud of particle is discharged in close proximity to the thrower and may be found on the subject after the throwing. Similar to gunshot and cartridge residue, the grenade particles contained a characteristic composition of lead, barium, and antimony with some zinc and silicon. Additional and significant numbers of spherical tin particles were found in the test throwings of the IMI no. 26 and of bismuth particles in the Soviet F-1 that can implicate a suspect in a hand grenade throwing incident. 1 table, 10 figures, and 11 references (Author abstract modified)