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TAGGING EXPLOSIVES TO COUNTER CRIME

NCJ Number
62805
Journal
ON PATROL IN MANITOBA Dated: (FALL 1979) Pages: 10-12
Author(s)
P R ANSELL
Date Published
1979
Length
3 pages
Annotation
DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION TAGGING OF EXPLOSIVES IS EXPLAINED, ADVANTAGES CITED, AND TECHNICAL AND COST PROBLEMS EXPLORED.
Abstract
TERRORIST AND CRIMINAL USE OF BOMBS IS EXPLAINED AND MODERN METHODS OF DETECTING THE BOMBS ARE STUDIED IN THIS REPORT ON TAGGANTS. CRIMINALS AND TERRORISTS CHOOSE TO USE BOMBS BECAUSE IT IS EASY TO GET THE COMPONENTS THAT MAKE UP A BOMB, THEY CAN PLANT THE EXPLOSIVE AND THEN EVACUATE THE AREA ESCAPING TO A PLACE SAFE FROM HARM AND DETECTION, AND BOMBS CAUSE DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE AT DETONATION. IF THE EXPLOSIVE BOMB IS TO BECOME LESS POPULAR WITH CRIMINAL ELEMENTS, MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN IN TWO AREAS. FIRST, THE CAPABILITY TO DETECT A BOMB IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PLANTED MUST BE IMPROVED. SECONDLY, MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO INCREASE THE ARREST RATE FOR BOMBING CRIMES. A PARTIAL ANSWER LIES IN EXPLOSIVES TAGGING TO AID IN BOTH IDENTIFICATION AND DETECTION. BOTH PROCESSES ARE EXPLAINED WITH ATTENTION TO CHARACTERISTICS AND TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES IN DEVELOPING ADEQUATE PROCEDURES OR METHODS. TAGGING FOR DETECTION INVOLVES A SYSTEM IN WHICH A DETECTOR PROVIDES A SIGNAL WHENEVER A TAGGED EXPLOSIVE IS BROUGHT INTO AN AREA. THE DIFFICULTIES WITH DEVELOPING SUITABLE TAGGANTS, INCLUDING VAPORS, ARE EXAMINED. DETECTION TAGGING IS LOOKED UPON AS AN INTERIM MEASURE TO HELP DETECT AND DETER BOMBERS IN HIGH RISK INSTALLATIONS. TAGGING FOR IDENTIFICATION ALSO CAN AID THE INVESTIGATION AFTER DETONATION OF A BOMB. IF TAGGANTS, SUCH AS THE COLOR CODED PLASTIC CHIPS BEING TESTED, ARE NEEDED TO COMMERCIAL EXPLOSIVES, IMMEDIATE EVIDENCE WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO FORENSIC TECHNICIANS. USING THIS INFORMATION AND RECORDS REQUIRED BY UNITED STATES LAW, THE INVESTIGATOR WOULD BE ABLE TO TRACE THE EXPLOSIVES DOWN TO THE LAST LEGAL OWNERS. AN INDEPENDENT STUDY INTO THE COST BENEFITS OF EXPLOSIVES TAGGING ESTIMATES THAT IDENTIFICATION TAGGING COULD BECOME COST BENEFICIAL WITHIN A DECADE, AND DETECTION TAGGING A FEW YEARS LATER. THE BASIS FOR THE ESTIMATES IS EXPLAINED. (RFC)

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