ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 7

The Persistence of Military Explosives on Hands
Higgs, DG
Principal scientific officer (retired), EM2 Branch, Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment,

Twibell, JD
Senior scientific officer and Sandwich Course student (University of Bath, England), Central Research Establishment Home Office Forensic Science Service,

Smalldon, KW
Principal scientific officer, Home Office Forensic Science Laboratory, Washington Hall, Euxton, Chorley,

Turner, SL
Senior scientific officer and Sandwich Course student (University of Bath, England), Central Research Establishment Home Office Forensic Science Service,

(Received 26 January 1983; accepted 11 April 1983)

Abstract

Amounts of military explosives that were transferred to hands on contact have been quantified. Factors affecting the persistence of these residues were studied and it was found that about 90% was removed by a single wash. Subsequent washes were however progressively less efficient. Although cyclonite (RDX) and trinitrotoluene (TNT) could be detected easily after 24 h, their presence could not be established after 48 h on the hands of volunteers who had washed about twelve times.

Keywords:
criminalistics, explosives, nitroglycerine

Paper ID: JFS11661J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11661J
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