In connection with explosives offences, improvised explosive devices (IED's) and incendiary devices are examined to determine how they are built and how they work. These may be detonated, unexploded, partly exploded or disabled explosive devices. Confiscated objects, explosives and/or chemicals intended for illegal explosives production are examined with regard to their risk potential. Documents and regulations, e.g. from the internet, for the construction of initiation devices, as well as for the purposes of synthesising home-made explosives, so-called improvised explosives, are assessed for their suitability.
Chemical and physical analyses of the explosive mixtures used play an important role. Thus their dangerousness can be estimated accurately. For the identification of improvised explosives occurring less frequently in attacks or substances which are difficult to prove, the KTI offers suitable methods to the federal states.
In order to assess the danger of improvised explosives, and develop methods to prove the existence of the evidence, different substances are tested for their suitability as home-made explosives. This also includes synthesis and trial explosions.
Electronic initiation device and wiring diagram
Intelligence regarding improvised explosives is also of the greatest importance for passenger security, at airports in particular, in that attacks with such substances can thus be prevented. A substance suitable for terrorist attacks on air traffic can be evaluated and an appropriate detection method can be developed.
More and more complex electronic switching systems are being used for the initiation of explosive devices. Their construction and system, their working order, but also possible reasons for failure have to be clarified.
Explosive test on an armoured car
The destructive effect of explosive devices is caused in particular by the air pressure wave of the explosion and the kinetic energy of fragments. This can be proven in blasting tests. The evidence found at the scene of an explosion, e.g. the damage to buildings, can be compared with simulation calculations. Thus conclusions can be drawn about the quantity of explosive used.
Attack on a bus of the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan
All this information, gathered by forensic science, can supply important starting-points for the investigation work of the police and public prosecutor's office, and finally for the presentation of evidence in court. It also finds its way into specialised lectures at national and international symposiums and in the training of the explosives experts of the security authorities.
KTI explosives experts advise and support the crime scene group of the BKA in operations at home and abroad, particularly with regard to the recovery of traces of explosive material and the assessment of blast effects.