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Death caused by a letter bomb.
1Institute of Legal Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Hittorfstrasse 18, 14195 Berlin, Germany. rothschild@medizin.fu-berlin.de
International Journal of Legal Medicine
|February 24, 2001
Summary
A letter bomb containing a simple explosive device killed a man, causing fatal brain damage and severe hand injuries. The device used a sodium chlorate mixture detonated by a pull-cord mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Explosives Analysis
Background:
- A fatal incident involving a letter bomb resulted in severe injuries and death.
- The victim, a 48-year-old man, sustained injuries to the face, left hand, and fatal brain damage.
Observation:
- Autopsy revealed the right eye and orbit were destroyed by metal fragments from a tin can, which penetrated the cranial cavity.
- Reconstruction identified the device as a simple explosive within a video cassette case, mailed in a padded envelope.
Findings:
- The explosive charge (approx. 60g) was a mixture of sodium chlorate, sodium chloride, and sucrose.
- Detonation was triggered by a nylon cord; pulling the video cassette removed a plastic separator, completing a circuit via a battery and two flash bulbs.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential lethality of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) disguised as ordinary mail.
- Understanding the construction and detonation mechanism of such devices is crucial for forensic investigations and public safety.