NATS 1575 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Emulsion, Nitrocellulose, Tetryl
12 Apr 2017
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Like the arson investigation, bomb investigation requires close cooperation of a group of highly specialized individuals trained and experienced in bomb disposal, bomb-sit investigation, forensic analysis, and criminal investigation. The criminalists must detect and identify explosive chemicals recovered from the crime scene as well as identify the detonating mechanisms. An explosion a chemical or mechanical act caused by combustion, accompanied by the creation of heat and rapid expansion of gases. The distinguishing characteristic of an explosion is the rapid rate of the reaction. The sudden buildup of expanding gas pressure at the origin of the explosion produces the violent physical disruption of the surrounding environment: explosives are substances that undergo a rapid exothermic oxidation reaction, producing large quantities of gases. The sudden buildup of gas pressure constitutes an explosion. One such agent is found in black powder which is a low explosive composed of a mixture of the following chemical ingredients: potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulfur.
