Forensic Aspects of Explosives

Forensic Aspects of Explosives

Forensic Aspects of Explosives Quiz Crafted by -

Ritu Bharti

Assistant Professor

Department of Forensic Science, 

Government Holkar Science College, Indore (M.P.) 


Introduction to Explosives 

An explosion occurs as the result of a chemical reaction which releases a vast amount of physical or chemical energy accompanied by light, heat and sound in a short space of time. The cause of an explosion could range from a simple accident in the home to a major terrorist incident. Either way, an intricate investigation must take place to establish the exact circumstances of the event. The construction of a bomb can be fairly simple, some requiring just a timer or remote control to create an initial spark, which ignites the bomb and triggers a blast. The recipes for making such a bomb are readily available online. The strength of a bomb can vary greatly, some yielding little power and others causing mass destruction, depending on the chemical reactants used and the construction of the device itself. 


Let's look at the questions and  their answer.

Que 1. In World War-I, which explosive was used in the large Caliber Shells?

a) RDX

b) Picric Acid

c) PETN

d) Tetrazene

Answer: b) Picric Acid


Que 2. The composition of Explosive Cyclotol Mixture is:

a) RDX (60-75%) + TNT (25-40%)

b) RDX (42%) + TNT (40%) + Al (18%)

c) RDX (95%) + Plasticizers (9%)

d) PETN (60-75%) + TNT (25%)

Answer: a) RDX (60-75%) + TNT (25-40%)


Que 3. The Explosive classified under Secondary High Explosives:

a) PETN

b) TNT

c) RDX

d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above


Que 4. The full form of ATF is:

a) American Task Force

b) Aviation Turbine Fuel

c) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

d) None of the above

Answer: c) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms


Que 5. On 4th August 2020, A Huge Explosion of Beirut, Lebanon was as a result of:

a) RDX

b) Ammonium Nitrate

c) TNT

d) HMTD

Answer: b) Ammonium Nitrate


Que 6. HMX is used in Military applications as Booster charges for Artillery Shells and a component of Solid fuel Rocket Propellants is also known as:

a) Octogen

b) Hexogen

c) Pentolite

d) C4

Answer: a) Octogen


Que 7. The High Explosive invented by Sir Alfred Bernhard Nobel, Swedish Chemist who also founded the Nobel Prize is:

a) TNT

b) HMX

c) ANFO

d) Dynamite

Answer: d) Dynamite


Que 8. The composition of Black Powder classified under Low Explosives is:

a) Calcium Nitrate + Charcoal + Sulphur

b) Potassium Nitrate + Charcoal + Sulphur

c) Potassium Chloride + Charcoal + Sulphur

d) Calcium Chloride + Charcoal + Sulphur

Answer: b) Potassium Nitrate + Charcoal + Sulphur


Que 9. The residues obtained as a result of Explosion are analyzed by the Debris collected from blast scene, called:

a) Post-Blast Explosive Residues

b) Pre-Blast Explosive Residues

c) Both (a) & (b)

d) Explosive debris

Answer: a) Post-Blast Explosive Residues


Que 10. Before analyzing Explosive by Hyphenated techniques, it is analyzed by Screening tests:

a) Alcoholic KOH test

b) Griess Reagent Test

c) Diphenylamine Test

d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the Above


Que 11. Velocity of Detonation for High Explosives is:

a) More than 1000m/s

b) Less than 1000m/s

c) Between 500-1000m/s

d) None of the Above

Answer: a) More than 1000m/s


Que 12. An Explosive usually a mixture of two liquids that do not normally mix with one another are called:

a) Water Gels

b) Binary Explosives

c) Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil

d) Emulsion Explosives

Answer: d) Emulsion Explosives


Que 13. On 14th February 2019, Pulwama attack was resulted by Explosives:

a) Ammonium Nitrate

b) RDX

c) Both (a) & (b)

d) TNT

Answer: c) Both (a) & (b)


Que 14. An Analytical method used for Inorganic Analysis of Explosives is:

a) GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy)

b) IC (Ion Chromatography)

c) GC-ECD (Gas Chromatography- Electron Capture Detector)

d) HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography)

Answer: b) IC (Ion Chromatography)


Que 15. An identification system that added to an Explosive that encodes information about the Explosive, such as manufacturer, type of Explosive or batch is called:

a) Taggants

b) Barcodes

c) Labels

d) None of the above

Answer: a) Taggants


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