Post-blast explosive residue – a review of formation and dispersion theories and experimental research

The presence of undetonated explosive residues following high order detonations is not uncommon, however the mechanism of their formation, or survival, is unknown. The existence of these residues impacts on various scenarios, for example their detection at a bomb scene allows for the identification of the explosive charge used, whilst their persistence during industrial explosions can affect the safety and environmental remediation efforts at these sites. This review article outlines the theoretical constructs regarding the formation of explosive residues during detonation and their subsequent dispersal and deposition in the surrounding media. This includes the chemical and physical aspects of detonation and how they could allow for undetonated particles to remain. The experimental and computational research conducted to date is presented and compared to the theory in order to provide a holistic review of the phenomenon.