NCJ Number
60131
Date Published
1978
Length
16 pages
Annotation
TO ASSIST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN EXPLOSIVES INVESTIGATIONS, THIS FIELD GUIDE SERVES AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION OF RECOVERING EXPLOSIVES IDENTIFICATION TAGGANTS FROM BOMB SCENES.
Abstract
IDENTIFICATION TAGGING ENABLES POLICE TO IDENTIFIY THE TYPE OF EXPLOSIVE USED, THE PLANT OF MANUFACTURE, DATE, NAME AND GRADE OF EXPLOSIVE, PRODUCTION LOT, AND DISTRIBUTOR. PLASTIC COLOR CODED CHIPS (TAGGANTS) ARE ADDED TO EXPLOSIVES DURING MANUFACTURE; THE SEQUENCE OF COLORS AND LAYERS OF MAGNETIC OR FLUORESCENT CHIPS MAKE UP A PARTICULAR CODE. SPECIFIC TAGGANT RECOVERY TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS THE USE OF ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, MAGNETS, AND CHEMICAL TESTS ARE DESCRIBED. TECHNIQUES FOR SEPARATION FROM DEBRIS ARE DETAILED AND ILLUSTRATED. HOW AND WHERE TO LOOK FOR TAGGANTS IS SUGGESTED, WITH EMPHASIS ON CAREFUL SEARCH AND COLLECTION OF ENOUGH SAMPLES TO BUILD A COURT CASE. A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO THE OBTAINMENT AND USE OF EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR RECOVERY, TAGGANT READING, AND TRACING THE DISTRIBUTION OF EXPLOSIVES IS PROVIDED. THE GUIDE ALSO LISTS THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SPECIAL AGENTS OF THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS, ALONG WITH THE ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NATIONAL EXPLOSIVES TRAINING CENTER. PHOTOGRAPHS AND OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS ACCOMPANY THE TEXT. (RFC)