-Caveat Lector- >From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2329189.stm
Tuesday, 15 October, 2002, 14:17 GMT 15:17 UK Plastic explosive clue in Bali bombing Investigators have a massive task sifting through the ruins Police investigating the deadly bombing of a nightclub in the Indonesian island of Bali in which nearly 200 people died have found traces of plastic explosive at the site of the attack. The discovery of the explosives suggests a sophisticated bombing operation. Unconfirmed reports from the French news agency AFP say that the head of Indonesian intelligence, Hendropriyono, has disclosed that the explosive was a type known as C4, manufactured mainly in the United States. Forensic process Identify components of explosive Take swabs from suspects, clothing and other sites Test for matches with explosive Trace manufacturer through analysis of components in residue The agency also cited Indonesian police spokesman Brigadier- General Saleh Saaf as saying that "we have together with experts from the FBI processed the data jointly and we are now really certain that C4 explosive was used". The police, meanwhile, are still intensively questioning two men in connection with the bombing in the resort of Kuta on Saturday. Indonesian police chief Da'i Bachtiar said the identity card of one of the men was found close to the bomb site. So far, the man has refused to say anything since being picked up. But the discovery of traces of plastic explosive could be a vital clue to who was responsible. Military explosive If the explosive material has been positively identified, then any suspects, their clothing and their homes or workplaces can be checked for matching materials. Swabs, using a solvent, would be taken from skin, clothes and other materials. Click here for a map of the area http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38340000/gif/_38340173_bali_bombing_map3.gif Experts warn that traces of substances can be passed from one person to another and are not in themselves indisputable evidence of someone's involvement in a bombing. The C4 explosive reportedly used in the bombing is a powerful agent manufactured mainly in the United States and used widely by military forces around the world. AFP quoted a British manufacturer of C4, Mark Ribband, as saying that it is a white substance that resembles uncooked pastry and needs a detonator to make it explode. Mr Ribband said that it is "a standard issue, military explosive" the trade in which was controlled carefully. "It's considerably more controlled than heroin, but if you want to buy heroin you can", he was quoted as saying. "Like all things, everything's available for a price," Mr Ribband said. Clues from components Explosives experts can tell a lot from the type of explosive used. A large area was devastated by the explosion Brian Caddy, Emeritus Professor of Forensic Science at Strathclyde University in Scotland, says that identification might enable investigators to track down the potential sources of the explosive material used. Experts from the United States, Australia, France and Japan are involved in helping the Indonesian police with their investigations. Professor Caddy says that once the component substances in an explosive have been identified it might be possible to trace the manufacturer. Governments have lists of explosive makers and would be able to check with them the make up of their products. If that process is completed then there would be a more lengthy and laborious task of trying to track sales and distribution or even thefts of an identified explosive. The success of that search would depend on the accuracy of company records. Capabilities As well as gaining clues from the type or explosive used, the discovery of any parts of a timing, detonation or firing mechanism would boost the investigation. Professor Caddy believes that although Indonesia is developing its own forensic capabilities - they recently opened a new laboratory in Jakarta - they lack the experience of Western scientists in this field. The police are searching the site for clues Britain has well developed facilities - such as the Forensic Explosives Laboratory at Fort Halstead in Kent and the laboratory in Northern Ireland which works to the government's Northern Ireland Office. The Forensic Explosives Laboratory told BBC News Online that it was unable to comment on methods of tracing explosives as this information could prejudice future investigations. Forensic experts would use any materials found to compare the explosives and mechanisms with those used in other bomb attacks. This would enable them to see if there are any common substances or methods of construction which could give clues to the identity of the bombers. 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