II-1

II-2

BOMBS & BOOBYTRAPS

The information in this section cannot cover every type and use of explosives or initiator for explosives. When involved in a search, arrest of suspects or any recovery of listed items, contact your nearest Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit for assistance. ALL ITEMS WHEN SUBJECTED TO HEAT, FRICTION OR SHOCK WILL DETONATE.

In todays world of the uncertain, terrorism is classified on the amount of death caused by the act and the weapon used in the act. Certainly one death is too many, however the terrorist has accomplished the mission, causing the general population to become nervous and public safety agencies to increase vigilance. Some of the most common items used by the criminal element are classified as Low Explosives Black Powder: Black, Gray or Dark Brown in color, can be initiated by a burning match, fuse or detonator. Outside of a container it will violently deflagrate and when confined will detonate in the area of 1,300 feet per second.

II-3

Smokeless Powder: Light gray to black in color, can be initiated by burning match, fuse or detonator. It will violently deflagrate and when confined will detonate with a very strong production of heat and light. The contents of some smokeless powders contain nitro glycerin causing confined speeds to reach 2,500 fps.

Smokeless Powder in metal can

Flash Powder: Light gray to dark gray in color. The criminal usually makes this item with chemicals available in the community. Potassium Chlorate and Aluminum powders give it the shine and allows it to sustain the burning process. Confined speeds are variable but can reach that of Black powder. Primary (High) Explosives: Detonators Lead Azide: White to gray in color and used as a mixture in detonators. It will detonate at a very high velocity, 13,000 fps or higher. This is enough to initiate both home made and manufactured explosives. Lead Styphnate: Similar in color as Lead Azide and used as a mixture in detonators. Detonation speeds are a little higher in the area of 17,000 fps. Mercury Fulminate: Orange to red-brown in color. Used as a mixture in detonators. Speed of detonation is 11,000 to 20,000 fps. Older copper blasting caps may contain Mercury Fulminate

II-4 and be very dangerous to handle due to a reaction between the copper shell. Do not disturb these items and contact EOD for immediate assistance.

Time Fuse & Cap

Non-El Blasting Cap

Electric Blasting Cap

Amatol: Developed during WW II in an effort to augment the use of TNT. It is a buff yellow to dark brown in color and will detonate in the area of 21,000 fps. Some mixes were lower in detonation 14,000 however it was adequate for large bombs and main charges.

Secondary (High) Explosives: The following items are usually found as the main charge in larger explosive devices or military items. They are all extremely dangerous and should only be handled by the EOD technician. Ammonium Nitrate: Commonly used as a fertilizer and a Blasting Agent. This item is an oxidizer and will create its own oxygen when burning. When mixed with a diesel fuel, this now becomes a Blasting Agent. It can be dyed different colors and should be kept in a cool dry environment. Once wet it will begin a rapid breakdown and will not be suitable for explosive use. Speeds vary with mixture and can be from 3,300 fps to 9,000 fps. This chemical is also found in several other high explosive mixtures.

II-5 Binary Explosive Mixtures: There are several types of binary products and home made recipes that are found in publications. The main item here is safety in movement. The products are both non-explosive until mixed. Once mixed they become a high explosive and must utilize a detonator or other high explosive to initiate it. Colors can vary from type of liquid used and oxidizer. Speeds will be in the area of 20,000 fps.

Binary Explosive Components Sizes vary from 1 X 8 and larger. Nitro-Methane liquid is necessary for activation.

Dynamite Products: Dynamite products come in various sizes. The product is used almost daily in the installation of underground utilities and quarry operations. Color can vary from light brown to a buff brown and has a strong odor. This explosive contains a percentage of Nitro glycerin which when contacted by the human can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It will produce a headache and may cause nausea. Speeds of detonation will vary from 11,000 to 17,000 fps. Sudden temperature changes, heat, friction or shock can initiate this substance. Extended storage of the product will cause the Nitro glycerin to separate and begin to leave the cartridge paper. It may form crystals that when disturbed may cause detonation without warning. PETN/ RDX: White or Pink in color and found primarily in cast explosives or detonating cord. The substance is very high in the ripping and tearing effect, with an acceleration speed of 28,000 fps. It needs a detonator or other high explosive to initiate it and will deliver a devastating explosive shock to a target area.

II-6
Cast Explosive PETN - RDX Dynamite Permissible (Underground Use) Standard 1 X 8 Strength Dynamite Nitroglycerin Dynamite

TNT: The standard by which all other explosives are measured. Can have the appearance of light yellow to light gray. The speed of detonation is 23, 600 fps and is ideal for bombs and demolition work. TNT is stable under harsh conditions. As with all high explosives, it should be protected from extreme heat, friction and shock to prevent an unwanted detonation.

TNT Trinitro toluene

II-7 C-4: Military & Civilian Use. C-4 is a very powerful high explosive used as a bursting and demolition charge. The high rate of acceleration and the destruction following detonation makes it a very versatile and dangerous explosive in the wrong hands. Packaging could be a bulk mixture or packaged for field use for the military. Color is usually a white clay appearance. Acceleration speed is in the area of 30,000 feet per second.
Military C-4 Half of the M-112 Demolition block with a weight of 1 pound of C-4.

Tetryl: Used in detonators and main charges. It has a color of clear to yellow and will stain skin if contacted. Other health issues may be seen with this mixture and could include a rash or other skin irritation. A close relative to Tetryl is Tetryltol, which is light yellow to buff and is similar to TNT and Tetryl. It has a speed of 24,000 fps. Homemade Explosives The uses of the Internet and other publications that are listed as educational in nature have caused a rapid growth of explosive items. While some are viewed as a nuisance, they remain in the arsenal of the criminal terrorist.

S o u rc e s o f In fo rm a tio n rm

II-8 Bottle Bomb: One of the most used devices in many communities due to local product availability. There are two types of devices, all using the 20oz. or larger screw lid beverage bottle. One method uses dry ice and water and a very slow reaction time. The time can increase rapidly due to heat or slow due to cool weather. The second device utilizes various pool chemicals, toilet bowl chemicals and aluminum foil. This (Acid) bomb will detonate rapidly and spray sulfuric acid as a byproduct of the mixture. The speed of detonation is in the area of 400 fps. or lower depending on container. Fragments can cause death if you are near the device.

Sparkler Bomb: This device is made with standard sparklers usually found on the 4th of July. The sparklers are gathered in a bundle with one in the center of the bundle pulled out as a fuse. Black electrical tape or Duct tape is used to wrap the bundle tightly, sealing it completely. This is a makeshift pipe bomb with fragmentation. The result of the device is a large fireball and a loud explosion, causing the sparkler wires to be thrown as projectiles. There is also a very good chance of a fire caused by the sparkler ignition.

Pipe Bombs: The preferred device due to available local products. Any type of pipe will be used as well as fillers from match heads to smokeless powders. There can be fragmentation of the pipe or attached items that will be projected to cause harm. The example shown is the result of a pipe bomb detonation. Fragmentation is jagged metal pipe thrown at a high velocity in all directions. One or more parts can cause a life threatening injury and/or death. Other types of pipe can also be used such as PVC plastic. Fragmentation can be attached or the device can be used as is to cause explosive overpressure damage or a fire from the thermal event that will occur at time of detonation. These type devices will also cause great harm to persons and property some resulting in death of the target.

Galvanized Metal Pipe and Common hobby fuse.

II-9 Reconstructed Hand Grenades: A very real threat comes from reconstructed hand grenades found as paperweights or inert military memorabilia. These items can be converted into improvised explosive devices in a variety of ways. Improvised fuse systems, modified military fuse systems and fuses from other devices like smoke or CS/CN grenades. These fuses are unreliable and some have such a short burn time that detonation of the grenade could be instantaneous.

Booby Trapped Grenade

CS Gas Fuse

One Second Fuse

TATP/ HMTD: While the recipe for these two compounds is not new, it is now becoming a favorite of the criminal / terrorist element. Chemicals can be found at the local level and the mixture can be made in the kitchen or garage. First used in the 90s by terror groups in Jordan and Afghanistan against Russian troops, it was perfected and is now widely used as a main charge explosive. The preferred initiation is by electrical detonator and the chemical is placed in containers such as pipes. The chemicals will not be listed nor the manufacturing steps. However, Acetone, Peroxide and related substances found in the community are mixed to form the compound. It is extremely dangerous to produce and transport if inexperienced persons are attempting to manufacture this explosive. You may find the makeshift TATP/ HMTD manufacturing location by explosion or fire. Booby Traps: There are numerous types of traps that can effect public safety officers as they carry out their mission. Many are designed to look like they belong or not seen at all in hope the officer(s) will push, pull, trip, step on, drop or fall in to. Pressure: These devices are many and can be found in the most obvious locations yet is unseen by the public safety personnel. Under doormats, on pathways, driveways, carpet, chairs and furnishings to mention a few. Simple in design yet very effective in operation, they all operate from a simple electrical circuit or a pit to step in with nails or sharp objects to cause injury. An example of several types of pressure improvised plates are shown and have been very effective in domestic and international terrorist events.

II-10

Can lid Improvised Pressure Switch

Shotgun shell designed for pressure PVC or metal pipe

Pull: This type of device is as simple as its name. You pull, it explodes. Again the styles are many and some fashioned from the military booby traps that many have seen. Improvised connections can be wire loops, clothes pins, roller connections/contacts to name a few. These types of traps are designed to be everyday items and the uninformed public safety officer will most likely initiate the device by accident.

Fishing line - clear 15 lb. Test Loop Switch connection

Loop Switch

PVC Pipe and power source for detonator

II-11

Hand Grenade in a can with Trip/ Pull line

Anti-Disturbance: Just as it sounds, this item is designed to detonate with the least provocation. Items most generally found are roller ball, trembler, micro-switch, and mercury switch to name a few. There are many types of everyday items that carry this type of switch as a convenience to the tool or appliance. However, the method of action will allow the switch to close initiating the device. Some examples are shown as reference.

Anti-Disturbance Devices Beam/Movement

Magnetic Reed SwitchCommon in many home security systems

While all explosive, chemical, biological and nuclear devices are inherently dangerous by design, proper education will allow the safest response and safety of responding law enforcement, fire and emergency medical personnel. The basic safety stance to take is Time Distance Shielding. Call for immediate assistance when confronted with a suspected Improvised Explosive, Booby Trap, Chemical, Biological or Nuclear device.
The information in this section is for public safety officers. For further information or training, public safety officers should contact their closest Explosive Ordnance Disposal team or a local military EOD team for assistance.