Development of Microscopical Methods for the Systematic Analysis of Chemically Reacted, Improvised Low Explosives and Related Residues, Chicago, Illinois, 2020-2023

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.