Abstract
In the Netherlands, the illegal use of powerful flash bangers is popular and as a result these items are frequently encountered in forensic casework. In collaboration with the Dutch police a representative sample set of the most frequently confiscated flash bangers, the Cobra 6 and Cobra 6 2G, has previously been collected also including imitation items. Classification of the different flash bangers was performed by analysing the pyrotechnic charge using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with indirect UV-detection. Two rapid CE methods were used to determine the anions and cations present in the pyrotechnic mixtures. Black and flash powders were easily distinguishable based on their main inorganic compositions, i.e., KNO3 and KClO4, respectively. Differentiation of flash powders from the commercial and imitation pyrotechnic items was achieved by the identification of Ca2+ and Mg2+ cation traces in the imitation flash banger powders. Quantitative CE results were used to explore the possibilities to differentiate seized sets of flash bangers but this proved to be difficult for commercial items due to lack of impurities and uniform production processes. In addition, inherent inhomogeneity of the powders and incomplete sample extraction yielded a relative high measurement uncertainty within a set. For the imitation items potential for set-based differentiation was observed. Although the number of seized imitation sets was limited, a first step has been taken to classify pyrotechnic mixtures to provide additional information and intelligence in forensic casework of flash bangers.
Highlights
Pyrotechnic mixtures are classified as energetic materials, but react at a relatively slower rate compared to other types of explosives [1]
In the Cobra 6 flash bangers a black powder plug is added, on top of the flash powder, which functions as a delay charge because of its reduced burning speed compared to flash powder [2]. Visual distinction between both powders can be made based on their physical appearance, especially since black powder is present as a compressed plug in the flash bangers
A direct comparison of the flash powders indicates that the powder from the imitation items has a bigger particle size than the powder from the commercial Cobra 6 and Cobra 6 2G flash bangers, as seen in Fig. 2a and 2b
Summary
Pyrotechnic mixtures are classified as energetic materials, but react at a relatively slower rate compared to other types of explosives [1]. Reactions during combustion are driven by electron-transfer or oxidation-reduction mechanisms in presence of oxidizers and fuel [2,3]. Their major civil application is in fireworks, where pyrotechnic compositions are tuned to produce visible and audible effects, such as colors, smokes, sparks and sounds, for entertainment purposes. A wide variety of firework items is used during festivities and celebrations. In the Netherlands, fireworks are a vital component of the New Year’s Eve traditions and citizens are allowed to ignite consumer fireworks under. Specific regulations apply to the trade period, composition and load of these consumer firework items to limit the risks for public and environment. More powerful professional fireworks contain larger quantities of active charges and can only be ignited by licensed individuals [4,5]
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