Chapter 17, Problem 6ACT

a.

Summary Introduction

To determine: The test that a forensic scientist runs on the suspect sample to test for evidence of tetryl explosive.

Introduction: Secondary explosives are the type of high explosives that are insensitive to heat, shock, and friction. These explosives generally burn instead of undergoing detonation.

b.

Summary Introduction

To determine: The test that a forensic scientist runs on the suspect sample to test for evidence of TNT explosive.

Introduction: High explosive has a velocity of detonation greater than 1000 meters per second. Some of the high explosives include dynamite, TNT, and RDX (research department explosive).

c.

Summary Introduction

To determine: The test that a forensic scientist runs on the suspect for evidence of chlorate explosive.

Introduction: Black powder is a stable mixture of potassium or sodium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. It burns rather than detonate and therefore used in safety fuses.

d.

Summary Introduction

To determine: The test that a forensic scientist runs on the suspect for evidence of nitrocellulose explosive.

Introduction: The military explosives are the type of high explosives that undergo detonation rather than auto-combustion. Some of the high explosives used in the military are TNT and PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate).