NCJ Number
60797
Journal
Journal of the Forensic Science Society Volume: 18 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (JULY-OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 137-160
Date Published
1978
Length
24 pages
Annotation
ADVANCES MADE IN LABORATORY DETECTION METHODS FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS AND SABOTAGE ARE EXAMINED IN THIS ARTICLE FOR FORENSIC SCIENTISTS AND TECHNICIANS.
Abstract
THE MENACE OF EXPLOSIVES SABOTAGE INVOLVING CIVIL TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT INTENSIFIED DURING THE 1970'S. HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE EXPERTISE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY FORENSIC SCIENTISTS IN METHODS FOR SCREENING DEBRIS AND EXAMINING EVIDENCE OF EXPLOSIVES DETONATION. IN PARTICULAR, SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPES AND ADVANCED CHEMICAL METHODS HAVE CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO AVAILABLE KNOWLEDGE AND CAPABILITY. MINUTE FRAGMENTS RECOVERED FROM CRASH SITES SERVE IN THE DIAGNOSIS PROCESS. ALTHOUGH THE DISINTEGRATION OF AN AIRCRAFT TURBINE CAN PRODUCE A LOUD EXPLOSION-LIKE NOISE, AND AIRCRAFT FIRES CAN RESULT IN THE PENETRATION OF WINGS BY METAL FRAGMENTS, SUCH DAMAGE IS DISTINGUISHABLE FROM EVIDENCE OF EXPLOSIVES USE. DETONATION OF HIGH EXPLOSIVES CAN CREATE FRAGMENT VELOCITIES AND STRUCTURAL DISRUPTIONS THAT ARE INDICATIVE OF UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES. TRAJECTORY PLOTTING OF SCATTERED MECHANISMS FROM THE AIRCRAFT OR THE DENOTATOR ASSISTS IN LOCATING THE ORIGIN OF DETONATION. THE DILIGENT SEARCH FOR SMALL DETAILS, SUCH AS FRAGMENTS OF A TIMER FOUND LODGED IN FREIGHT OR BODIES, CAN PROVE VITAL AND CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE ON, FOR EXAMPLE, TYPE OF EXPLOSIVE USED. EXAMINATION OF FLIGHT DATA RECORDERS, COCKPIT VOICE RECORDERS, AND CHARRED FLOTSAM MAY DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. ADDITIONAL TECHNIQUES OF INVESTIGATION INCLUDE USE OF X-RAY DIFFRACTION ANALYSIS, RADIOPHOTOGRAPHY, METAL RECRYSTALLIZATION, AND THERMAL DEFORMATION OR TWINNING. RESEARCH SHOULD CONTINUE IN THE AREAS OF NONMETALLIC MATERIALS ANALYSIS, AND DETECTION OF EXPLOSIVES RESIDUE. PHOTOGRAPHS AND DRAWINGS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)