An Examination of the Spatial Distribution of the Tissue Fragments created during an Explosive Event

Summary

In the field of forensic science, the investigation that follows an explosive attack is one of extreme importance. There are, however, few universally accepted methods for the location and recovery of human remains after an explosion, especial in the cases of an IED or suicide bomb attack. This explains the paucity of available research and guidance on the subject. The research presented here aims to improve practice both in terms of recovery of the victims and in determining the characteristics of the explosive device in a way that would enhance counter-terrorism intelligence. The question that has been posed is whether there are recognizable patterns in the location of forensic evidence following an explosive event associated with contextual conditions? If so, can those patterns then be used to identify these conditions after the explosion has taken place? To explore these requirements pilot studies were undertaken using data from controlled explosions using pig carcasses undertaken in the UK. These studies charted the spatial distribution of tissue debris following an explosion through the use of Archaeological GIS techniques.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Forensic Archaeology

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