GUNPOWDER & EXPLOSIVES

I. Introduction

In the investigation of crimes involving the use of firearms, law enforcement officers need to
know whether a suspect has fired a gun or not and the gunshot range or the approx. distance of the
shooter to victim. When a firearm is discharged unburned particles of the gunpowder may escape
thru the breech of the gun and deposit on the hands of the shooter, on the clothing of the victim and
some may remain in the barrel. These gunpowder residues can be detected by chemical
examination.

In connection with suspected bombings the lab is requested to detect traces of explosives that
may be found in remains of parts of a bomb. Explosives like improvised and manufactured dynamites
used in illegal fishing, are also examined.

II. Description of Gunpowder and Other Explosives

A. Gunpowder

1. Black powder – first invented; consist of a mixture of carbon (charcoal) 15%, sulfur 10%, &
potassium or sodium nitrate 75%.; and

2. Smokeless – which can be either single based; consisting of nitrocellulose and

nitroglycerine (glycerol nitrate). Certain inorganic and organic compounds are added as
stabilizers.

B. Types of Explosives

1. Mechanical – such as those caused by expansion of gas producing high pressure beyond
capacity of the container.

2. Atomic – resulting from atomic transformations.

3. Chemical – produced thru the extremely rapid transformations of the unstable substances
accompanied by the formation of heat.

C. Classification of Explosives

The speed of the chemical reaction or detonation of the explosives determines the
classification of explosives as low, initiating or high explosives.

1. LOW explosives are low burning and are used mainly as propellants, like black powder and
smokeless powder. Atomic – resulting from atomic transformations.
2. PRIMARY or INITIATING explosives are extremely sensitive to detonation by heat, shock
friction and impact. They detonate without burning, like lead oxide and mercury fulminate.
3. HIGH explosives detonate under the influence of shock of the explosion of a primary
explosive.
 Ammonium nitrate – the cheapest and most readily available salt of nitric acid.
 TNT (trinitrotoluene) – the most widely used explosive.
 Nitroglycerine – most widely used commercial explosive.
 RDX – considered as one of the most important military explosive used today.
 C4 – a plastic explosive which is white and dough like in texture.
 Chloroacetophenone – CN is the principal component in the filler used in tear gas
solutions.
4. Fire Bombs – Molotov cocktail which is an incendiary device, acids mixed with gasoline,
alcohol and gasoline, etc.
BOMB
A bomb is defined as a hollow projectile with a generally spherical shape, containing an
explosive material and is made of iron. It is fired by concussion or by time fuse. Improvised explosive
devices (IEDs), also known as road side bombs, are home-made bombs constructed and deployed in
ways other than those in conventional military action.
An IED can be made of conventional military explosives, such as an artillery round, which is
attached to a detonating mechanism. An IED typically consists of an explosive charge (potentially
assisted by a booster charge), a detonator, and an initiation system, which is a mechanism that
initiates the electrical charge setting off the device,
An IED is a bomb fabricated in an improvised manner, which incorporates destructive, lethal,
noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals and are designed to destroy or incapacitate personnel
or vehicles. IEDs may be used in terrorist attacks or in unconventional warfare by commando forces
or guerrillas in a series of operations.

COMPONENTSOFANIMPROVISEDEXPLOSIVEDEVICE(IED)

 Switch
 Power source
 Initiator
 Container
 Explosives

Detonation
Refers to a violent explosion resulting from the practically instantaneous combustion or
decomposition of unstable compounds.

Explosives Analysis
Explosives analysis can be undertaken using the following methods
1. Infrared Spectrophotometry
2. Color Test
a. Griess Reagent
b. Diphenylamine Reagent
c. Alcoholic KOH

D. Distance Determination

The process of determining the distance between the firearm and a target, usually based on
the distribution of powder patterns or the spread of a shot pattern.

Three Zones of Distance:

a. Those in which the muzzle of the gun was held directly in contact with the body or practically
so. (CONTACT WOUNDS).

b. Those in which the muzzle of the gun was held from about 2 inches to 36 inches away.

c. Those in which the muzzle of the gun was held from 36 inches or more.

CONTACT WOUNDS – Damage (on cloth) is due more to the flame and the muzzle blast than
to the penetration of the bullet.

 Gaping hole where fabric is badly torn,

 Blackened area surrounding the bullet hole,
 Singeing of the fibers at the entrance, and
 Presence of partially burned powder residues around the entrance hole.

Distance of 2 to 36 Inches:

Smudging and powder tattooing – when the gun is held from about 2 inches to a maximum of 8
inches. Smoke & soot is deposited around the hole of entrance producing a dirty, grimy appearance.
Individual specks of tattooing around the hole are visible with the naked eye.
Distance of 36 Inches:

Partially burned and unburned powder particles are driven into the surface around the gunshot
hole producing a black coarsely peppered pattern called tattooing. Indication of Suicide or Homicide –
The kick of the gun causes the smudge and powder tattooing to be deposited more on one side of the
hole than on the other, and the side of the greatest deposit indicates the side on which the sights of
the gun were mounted.

Distance of More than 36 Inches

Powder tattooing is seldom seen. Nitrate particles may be present.

PARAFFIN-DIPHENYLAMINE TEST

The paraffin test, originating from Cuba, was first employed by Dr.Gonzalo Iturrioz when he
used paraffin to collect and examine gunpowder residues from discharged firearms. A paraffin test is
also called Lunge's test, Diphenylamine test, Dermal nitrate test, and the Gonzales test, named after
the scientist who improved the test.

To determine whether a person has fired a gun, the paraffin-diphenylamine test is used. The
basis of this test is the presence of nitrates in the gunpowder residue. Warm melted-paraffin wax
applied on the hands of the shooter will cause the pores of the skin to open and exude the particles of
the gunpowder residue. These particles are collected by the paraffin cast and will appear as BLUE
SPECKS, when the diphenylamine reagent is added on the cast. The specks are generally located on
the area of the thumb and forefingers.

The blue colors that appear indicate the reaction of the nitrates with diphenylamine reagent.
Thus nitrate from other sources like fertilizers, will give the same reaction. Other substances similar to
nitrates known as oxidizers will also react with the reagent in the same way. Thus, the location,
distribution and character of the specks are considered to eliminate the other possible sources of
oxidizers.

The FBI employed Neutron-Activation Analysis which is a more specific test. This requires
access to a nuclear reactor and facilities for detecting the radiation.

NOTE: The result of this test is not conclusive because it does not always show that
nitrates or nitrites were necessary results of discharge of firearms. Other substances
yield the same positive reaction for nitrates or nitrites, such as explosives, fireworks,
pharmaceuticals, and leguminous plants such as peas, beans, and alfalfa. (People v.
Baconguis, 417 SCRA 66, December 2, 2003)

Other substances similar to nitrate-known as oxidizers will also react with the reagent in the same
way, thus giving a false positive result. These substances include the following:

 Cigarette
 Fertilizer
 Tobacco
 Explosives
 Certain cosmetics
 Urine
 Food samples