Pre and Post Blast Chemical Comparison of the Intra- and Inter-Variability of Metal Pipes Commonly Used in Pipe Bombs

Pipe bombs are a substantial problem around the world killing and injuring thousands each year. Traditionally explosive used, residues of explosives, and bomb components have been the main source of evidence in the investigation of a located or exploded pipe bomb. This research analyzed the trace elemental compositions of metal pipes to investigate if pipes can be compared. It was found that in a sample set of 37 pipes, of different brands and purchase locations, each pipe was homogenous at trace elemental concentrations. This homogeneity allowed for comparison between pipes. An x-ray tube, as an alternate excitation source, which had been added to a traditional scanning electron microscope -- energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry system was used in this research. X-ray excitation versus the electron excitation of traditional SEM was able to detect trace elements in the pipe metal. The method was able to discriminate between 80% of the total sample set by trace elemental analysis comparison.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forensic and Investigative Science

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Hellested, Mandi

Contributors dc:contributor

• Keith B. Morris
• Suzanne Bell
• Michael Smith

• Analytical chemistry
• Materials science

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/527

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-1530