Development of Microscopical Methods for the Systematic Analysis of Chemically Reacted, Improvised Low Explosives and Related Residues, Chicago, Illinois, 2020-2023 (ICPSR 39116)
Version Date: May 29, 2025 View help for published
Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s)
Gary J. Laughlin, McCrone Research Institute;
Meggan King Dempsey, McCrone Research Institute;
Sebastian Sparenga, McCrone Research Institute;
Dean Golemis, McCrone Research Institute
https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR39116.v1
Version V1
Summary View help for Summary
This 2020 study was funded by the National Institute of Justice to advance knowledge about the microscopical methods used to examine materials commonly found in commercial and improvised low explosives. To achieve this, researchers developed reference documentation and an "Atlas of Unburned, Partially Burned, and Fully Burned Low Explosive and Related Materials" for the characterization, comparison, and identification of such materials. This data collection includes 57 files with images and descriptive captions documenting methods of microscopical analysis for a variety of chemically reacted, improvised low explosives and related residues. Details on the optical and physical properties, information regarding chemical solubility, recrystallization, microcrystal and microchemical spot tests, melting points, potential decomposition products, references, and photomicrographs of these materials are included as a PDF table. Additional information on this research can be found on the McCrone Research Institute website.
Citation View help for Citation
Export Citation:
Funding View help for Funding
Subject Terms View help for Subject Terms
Geographic Coverage View help for Geographic Coverage
Distributor(s) View help for Distributor(s)
Study Purpose View help for Study Purpose
The purpose of this project was to improve the direct visual comparison, microscopical identification, and chemical analysis of chemically reacted (i.e., unburned, partially burned, and fully burned) materials and resulting residues. The documentation produced by this research was intended to advance methodological knowledge and support practical training in low explosive microscopical analysis.
Study Design View help for Study Design
Common low explosive materials were prepared and photographed under varying microscopical conditions including plane polarized light, plane polarized light with top light, partially uncrossed polars (12 degrees), partially uncrossed polars (12 degrees) with top light, crossed polars, and crossed polars with a 11 Red I (530 nm) compensator and top light. The resulting photomicrographic images were arranged into an atlas for side-by-side comparison and reference by microscopists.
Data Type(s) View help for Data Type(s)
HideNotes
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
The public-use data files in this collection are available for access by the general public. Access does not require affiliation with an ICPSR member institution.