Investigations into the source attribution of party sparklers using trace elemental analysis and chemometrics

Abstract

In Australia, party sparklers are commonly used to initiate or prepare inorganic based homemade explosives (HMEs) as they are the most easily accessible and inexpensive pyrotechnic available on the market....

The transfer and persistence of metals in latent fingermarks

“…Work by D'Uva et al has studied the elemental profile of these sparklers, using inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to demonstrate the elemental profile of sparkler residue can indicate their potential source. 56 The results shown here are consistent with this work, suggesting that barium which is found in highest concentration in party sparklers, is easily transferred to the fingertips and deposited in fingermarks after handling.…”

Interpol review of the analysis and detection of explosives and explosives residues

“…Using ICP-MS and principal component analysis (PCA) Joshua A. D'Uva et al categorized 48 intact sparkler compositions by looking at 50 elements and could categorize eight distinct groups using the elements V, Co, Ni, Sr, Sn, Sb, and W [ 461 ]. It would be interesting to see if in unknown post-blast samples, the patterns could apply as well.…”

Chlorate‐based homemade explosives: A review

“…Source attribution in explosives and arson evidence holds promise for improving forensic investigations and intelligence purposes. Recent studies on the source attribution of inorganic explosive evidence have yielded promising results, highlighting its potential value in this particular application (D'Uva et al, 2020). D'Uva et al investigated the source attribution of party sparklers using trace elemental analysis and chemometric methods (D'Uva et al, 2020).…”

“…Recent studies on the source attribution of inorganic explosive evidence have yielded promising results, highlighting its potential value in this particular application (D'Uva et al, 2020). D'Uva et al investigated the source attribution of party sparklers using trace elemental analysis and chemometric methods (D'Uva et al, 2020). Eight different brands of party sparklers were investigated, resulting in a classification model that matched 100% of the samples to the specific brand of sparkler (D'Uva et al, 2020).…”