CHAPTER XII

DEATH OR PHYSICAL INJURIES CAUSED BY EXPLOSIONS

Explosion is the sudden release of potential energy producing a localized increase

in pressure.

Classification of Explosion as to the source of Energy:

1) Mechanical (Hydraulic) Explosion

2) Electrical Explosion
3) Nuclear Explosion
Atomic Explosion
4) Chemical Explosion

Death or physical injuries due to detonation of high explosives may be due to the
following causes.

1. If the victim is in contact with the explosive, as when he is manipulating,

carrying or sitting on it at the time of the explosion, there is complete
disruption or fragmentation of the body. This compression-decompression
effect causes displacement, distortion and bursting effects on body parts,
especially in the brain and abdominal visceral organs.
2. If the victim is not so close to the site of explosion, the body though badly
injured may remain in one piece. Certain areas of the body may show severe
injury, but the triad of punctuate bruises, abrasions and lacerations may be
found distributed all over the body.
3. The peppering kind of injuries may be observed as the distance from the site
of explosion increases. However, one or more metallic fragments travelling
with moderate velocity may strike the vital parts of the body and may cause
death.
4. Other effects of the blast wave: the impact of the high pressured wave can
knock down the person; in the respiratory organ, the bronchus may be
lacerated or the mucosa of the trachea may develop petechial hemorrhages,
the ear is the organ most vulnerable to blast. Most person at the vicinity of the
explosion may suffer from slight reddening of the tympanic membrane which
signifies that the cochlea has been damaged.
5. Burns from the flame or heated gas
6. Asphyxia due to lack of oxygen
7. Poisoning by inhalation of carbon monoxide, nitrous or nitric gases, hydrogen
sulfide, sulfur dioxide, or hydrocyanic gas
8. Direct injury by the flying missiles
9. Shrapnel wound
10. Injuries from falling debris

Identification of the Site of Explosion and Collection of Evidences:

The site of explosion may be identified by the presence of crater. The entire area
must be systematically searched for traces of the detonation mechanism. One of the
simplest ways of collecting gas samples for analysis is to take a bottle full of water in
the area where the odor is the strongest and pour the water out of the container. The
surrounding air will immediately replace the water removed from the bottle, tightly
sealed the bottle and sent to the laboratory for examination.

Scrapings from the debris and other materials at or near the site of the explosion
may be subjected to extensive stereoscopic and microscopic examination.
Fragments of the explosive may be rinsed with hot water so that water-soluble
inorganic substances may be extracted.

Atomic Bomb Explosion, the explosion is caused by the fission of about 100
pounds of uranium and liberates energy equal to that of a million tons of TNT. After
explosion, it produces a luminous ball of fire containing radioactive fission products,
which increases upward in size and creates shock waves moving sideward in all
directions.

Place of Atomic Explosion: Aerial Explosion, Ground Explosion and Submarine

Explosion.

Effects of Atomic Explosion to the Human Body:

1. General Effects:

Massive dose Lesser dose Later Symptoms

Generalized erythema, Nausea, vomiting Rise temperature,

disorientation followed by followed by prostration ulceration of lymphoid,
coma and death. and rapidly developing easy fatigability, oro-
and persistent leukemia. pharyngeal ulceration and
severe leukopenia.

2. Local Effects:
Individual Cells causes retardation of cell division, structural changes
in the chromosomes and cytoplasm, vacuolization, and with evidence
of maturation.
Skin the skin become edematous and later desquamated and
ulcerated. Radiation dermatitis is persistent, usually painful with
patchy keratitis and foci of ulceration. Hyper pigmentation or
depigmentation may later develop.
Blood vessels there is endothelial necrosis and localized thrombosis.
The blood vessels thicken because the hyalinization of the collagen.
Eye Cataract develop
Genital Organ In female it causes sterility, abortion or still-birth. In
men, it also causes sterility without loss of sexual potency.

Factors Responsible for the Effects of Radiation

Age, children and old persons are more susceptible.
Dosage, bigger dose will cause more damaging effects on the body tissues.
Kind of Radiation, gamma and neutron radiations are most destructive.
Fractional Doses, single dose may be lethal when administered over a long
period of time.
Sensitivity, muscles and connective tissues are radio resistant while tissues
like blood forming organs, intestinal epithelium are quite radiosensitive.