Forensic analysis of an alleged improvised explosive device (IED) from a multidisciplinary perspective: Organisation...

Interdisciplinary examination of test materials requires careful consideration of how forensic routines can influence each other. This influence can be direct and obvious, or indirect and subtle. A multidisciplinary collaborative exercise (MdCE) should test a forensic laboratory's ability to account for these difficulties. Therefore, the MdCE should be set up in a way that considers how the applied procedure (i.e., the sequence of forensic disciplines) can impact the outcomes (i.e., the ability to recover traces). Building on lessons learned from a previous experience, this article summarises the concepts, planning, design, preparation, implementation, coordination and evaluation of the ENFSI 2023 Multidisciplinary Collaborative Exercise (2023-MdCE) covering a range of forensic disciplines, specifically DNA, fingerprints, explosives, fibres, and hair morphological analysis. The exercise consisted of a glass jar with black adhesive tape around it, representing an improvised explosive device. The analysis of the results highlighted: a) the importance of a joint preliminary optical examination; b) some critical issues regarding the explosives/fingerprint sampling strategies; c) the potential impact of contact marks that may contain friction ridge detail on items that were different from those deposited by the organiser; d) the importance of avoiding discrepancies in labelling exhibits and/or traces is emphasised as it is related to the communication strategy of scientific forensic results. Additionally, recommendations and suggestions are provided for those who may wish to undertake such a collaborative exercise.