Explosion Scene Forensic Image Interpretation

Abstract

Image interpretation is an important aspect in the field of forensic science; however, it is seldom reported how to use these techniques in explosion scene forensic investigations. On 12 August 2015, a series of explosions killed 165 people and injured hundreds more at a container storage station at the Port of Tianjin. In this study, we applied image interpretation methods to determine the seat of the explosion by analyzing low‐quality video clips of the event. The interpretation fits well with recently published standard operating procedures, including the hypothesis, evaluation, inference, and confirmation. Image processing was adopted to enhance the images while the explosion scene was reconstructed with the same images. Some important features were extracted and utilized to distinguish whether the flashes were caused by reflection or a real blast. We reveal the real explosion location, which guides the overall investigation. The results indicate that image interpretation is a powerful tool for forensic investigators to analyze low‐quality images in complicated explosions or fire accidents.

The forensic analysis of homemade explosive suicides: Case report and systematic review of the literature

“…In these types of cases, it is important to analyze the crime scene with explosives experts in order to investigate technical aspects of the bomb such as its composition, danger, and effects on the environment [34]. For forensic purposes, in these cases of explosions we recommend the systematic study of three planimetric areas as follows:…”

“…In these types of cases, it is important to analyze the crime scene with explosives experts in order to investigate technical aspects of the bomb such as its composition, danger, and effects on the environment [34]. For forensic purposes, in these cases of explosions we recommend the systematic study of three planimetric areas as follows: Zone 1 (point of detonation and location of the body); Zone 2 (wavefront action area including all damaged environments); Zone 3 (marginal area not directly damaged where it is possible to find objects or fragments secondary to the detonation). …”