Improvised initiator

One of the newer additions to the terrorist s lexicon is the ability to produce reliable improvised initiators. Only a decade ago the blasting cap was one of the most difficult to procure items necessary to produce an IED. This hurdle has been almost totally eliminated. Not surprisingly this change was precipitated by the discovery of TATP and HMTD. Both the millennium bomber Ahmed Ressam and the shoe bomber Richard Reid provide examples of terrorists utilizing this new technology. ... 

Jordanian officials discovered in their investigation that the bomb-making factory also served as a training facility for those involved in the terrorist cell. The detonators recovered were filled with either TATP or HMTD and were manufactured by members of the cell learning how to produce such improvised initiators. The paper detonators matched those produced by known Al-Qaeda-trained terrorists. Similar detonators were seen in the Gaza Strip, Uzbekistan, and Turkey by the author. 

Because this improvised explosive is extremely insensitive, a booster is required to initiate it. A half pound charge of any high explosive in the bottom of the hole will be sufficient to insure detonation. 

Thermate also is used in the improvised dust initiator and the external POL charges described later. 

The hazards associated with HMTD have not, however, dissuaded criminals, terrorists, or juvenile experimenters from manufacturing and using it. It has been recommended in numerous anarchist publications as the improvised explosive of choice for the preparation of homemade initiators. Over the past several years it has been encountered with increasing frequency by law enforcement officers worldwide. For this reason, as noted for TATP earlier, a basic knowledge of its properties is essential for those in the explosive community. 

A certain degree of flexibility must be built into the research design, because the actual conditions of the textiles and the contaminants are not known, and could have been acquired over the course of the textile s lifetime. Time is required to adjust and improvise methods and to overcome difficulties while the researcher must retain a willingness to let the data take the lead. The pursuit of clues that were not anticipated or were initially only thought to be minor might be of the utmost importance these could lead to greater knowledge about the materials. 

C, Cut a V thick balsa disc to slip Into the rear of the inner tube from Step B. Glue a blasting cap or improvised electric initiator to this disc. 

Low-order explosive mixtures made from commonly available chemicals have been termed improvised mixtures. The majority of the improvised mixtures used in criminal bombings in this country fall into two categories homemade black powder and homemade flash powders. These mixtures usually are confined in some container, such as a section of capped pipe, and initiated with an external burning pyrotechnic or homemade fuse. Homemade black powder is a mixture of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal. It is usually poorly made, and unconsumed particles are abundant in the bomb debris. The components of this mixture can be identified chemically using techniques described previously. 

Carefully pour or spoon the mixture, in a single pile, on the incendiary. Prepare the mixture for ignition with Fuse Cord (0101) or Improvised String Fuse (0102) in the normsl msnner. The fuse cord should terminate near the center of the igniter mixture. Concentrated Sulfuric Acid (0103) can be used as an initiator, but is generally less convenient. Ignition takes place almost immediately on contact with the acid. Acid is recommended for use with specific delay mechanisms found in chiq>ter 5. 

The igniter can be initiated Fuse Cord (OlOl), Improvised String Fuse (0102), Concentrated Sulfuric Acid (0103) or Water (0104). 

The igniter can be initiated by Fuse Cord (0101) or Improvised String Fuse (0102). A hole is made in one pellet to receive a fuse and a small quantity of another more easily started igniter mixture. A number of unmodified pellets are attached to the first pellet to increase the quantity of heat after combustion occurs. 

Quirk, A.T., Bellerby, J.M., Carter, IF.,Thomas, F.A., Hfll, J.C. (2009) An initial evaluation of stable isotopic characterisation of post-blast plastic debris from improvised explosive devices. Sd. Justice, 49(2), 87-93. 

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