Multicomponent characterization and differentiation of flash bangers - Part I: Sample collection and visual examination

To continue to assist law enforcement agencies in counteracting the illegal use of fireworks new forensic methods have to be developed. In the Netherlands, many incidents involve powerful flash bangers mainly due to irresponsible behavior and misuse for criminal activities. Obtaining tactical information for differentiation of these flash bangers is of high priority in forensic casework. A representative sample set of a certain type of flash bangers, confiscated by the Dutch police, has been collected in a time period of one year and initial characterization has been performed based on visual examination. The individual components of the flash bangers already allow for a high degree of differentiation. Ultimately, combining all visual characteristics of pyrotechnic charges, labels, fuses and caps resulted in the classification into 24 groups out of 30 seized sets of flash bangers. In addition to visual examination, this unique sample set offers a wide variety of research opportunities that could be further explored and that might prove essential in case scenarios where visual characteristics are more difficult to assess or are completely absent.