title: The spatial distribution of postblast RDX residue: forensic implications.
abstract: Locating exactly where trace explosive residue samples should be sought during sample collection at bomb scenes is not specified in the published literature or guidelines; in this area, it is generally acknowledged that forensic practices are based on tradition rather than evidence. This study investigated patterns in the spatial distribution of postblast 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazocyclohexane residue from a series of unconfined detonations, over a range of sampling sites, and at two different detonation heights. The amount of residue recovered from the sites decreased as a function of distance from the center of the explosion. [Correction added after online publication 27 December 2012: In the preceding sentence, "increased" was corrected to "decreased" to agree with the conclusion of the article.] As the height of the detonations increased, more residues were found from all sampling sites. The findings of this empirical study have a number of important practical implications including determining where residue samples are best sought at crime scenes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Security and Crime Science, University College London, 35 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9EZ, U.K; Department of Chemistry, University College London, Christopher Ingold Laboratories, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, U.K.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abdul-Karim
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Binions
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Temple
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harrison
keywords: 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazocyclohexane (RDX); bomb scene examination; explosive residue; forensic science; postblast analysis; residue distribution; sample location