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Terrorism: Explosives Threat
Pages 171-180

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From page 171...
... The first study was devoted to explosive materials (excluding smokeless and black powders) in 1997, prompted by two mass bombings: the World Trade Center and the Oklahoma City Federal Building.i The second study, released in 1998, was devoted specifically to smokeless and black powder, which are commonly used in pipe bombs and small improvised explosive devices.2 Further insight into terrorist attacks abroad has been provided by the Bremer Commission report, which was issued in 2000.3 Description of Explosive Threat While it is recognized that the attacks of September 11, 2001, are attributed to terrorists, this paper is limited to a discussion of threats from explosives.
From page 172...
... Earlier notable mass bombings against U.S. citizens abroad include the following: · On December 21, 1988, an explosion destroyed PanAm Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 as a result of the explosion of a bomb containing less than a kilogram of high explosive believed to be Semtex.
From page 173...
... BOMBINGS: DESCRIPTION Nature of Explosives Used. Aside from the bombings outside the United States, and neglecting the two mass bombings at the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City as aberrations, according to statistics kept by the Bureau of A1cohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF)
From page 174...
... Each maintains separate statistics by means of distributing separate reporting forms to local law enforcement agencies, who in turn fill out the forms on a voluntary basis. Discrepancies exist between the two sources of information, and the previous NRC-NAS committee studies in 1997 and 1998 recommended better coordination between the two agencies.
From page 175...
... It has been noted that chemical markers could assist in the detection of explosives or bombs, especially in large-area searches, suspicious packages, and rapid and routine screening of large numbers of packages, and they would enhance canine sniffing capability.
From page 176...
... The legal use of millions of pounds of chemically marked smokeless and black powder would contaminate the environment and with time increase the false positive detection rate. Research has been recommended by the National Academy of Sciences to find suitable chemical markers in the event that their use in smokeless and black powder is warranted by increased threat levels.
From page 177...
... Porter4 claimed that 10 percent ammonium phosphate added to fertilizer-grade AN will produce a non-detonatable mixture when used in ANFO mixtures. Following the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, tests showed that non-detonatable Porter mixtures would actually detonate in charges where the diameter was 2150 cm or when the charge weight was 236 kg.
From page 178...
... Although the list of possibilities can be quite long, a short list of most likely precursors for explosive use is as follows: Explosive Chemicals Ammonium nitrate Nitromethane Oxidizers Sodium nitrate Potassium nitrate Sodium chlorate Potassium chlorate Potassium perchlorate Ammonium perchlorate Reactant Chemicals Nitric acid (concentrated) Hydrogen peroxide (concentrated)
From page 179...
... Basic to a workable U.S. national strategy regarding the threat from the illegal use of explosives, smokeless powder, and black powder is the importance of maintaining a flexible approach to detection markers, identification taggants, and the regulation of explosives and chemical precursors.


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