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Security Engineering Services

Introduction to Explosive Recognition


Awareness ~ Training ~ Detection ~ Prevention

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Background
The use of metal detectors and visual searches of persons and carried bags at schools and public buildings has been aimed at reducing the introduction of weapons into these buildings. The success of these efforts have forced the conversion to explosives which are not readily detected by metal detectors or visual searches. These explosives can be set off by a number of different devices from a simple fuse to timed electronic detonators, cell phones or suicide switches.

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OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this introductory course is to provide a general overview of the components of Homemade Explosive( HME) or Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). An overview of GST offerings that include training modules for the Modular IED Training, IED Training and Explosive Recognition Training aids will be presented. The training modules and aids can be customized to your organization requirements.

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Course Content
Detonators

Commercial Explosives
Powders and Binary Explosive Military Explosives

IED / HME
Best Practices GST Training Kits

Security Checkpoint Services


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Detonators
The term detonator and blasting cap are interchangeable. Detonator is a term used by the commercial manufacturers and blasting cap is a term used by the military. The net explosive charge in detonators is usually no more than a few grams

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Detonators
Electric Detonators consist of a small cylindrical shell containing a high explosive that is initiated when an electric current is sent to thru a bridge wire initiating the initiating charge and sympathetically detonating the base charge. Non Electric Detonator is designed to detonated from the spit of flame provided by a safety fuse of other flame producing device.

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Detonators
The Modular IED Training aid contains simulated electric detonators used in IEDs and are activated by light, motion, timer or remotely.
The Explosive Recognition Training aid contains both the simulated electric and non-electric detonators; plastic shock tube and detonating cords

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Modular IED Training Kit Light Activated Detonator Assembly


This detonator assembly could be used in a package or briefcase bomb. When the package is opened or scanned by x-ray, the light sensor closes the circuit and bomb explodes. This detonator assembly is sensitive to x-ray radiation but not to shock or motion.

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Modular IED Training Kit Tilt Motion Activated Detonator Assembly


This detonator assembly could be used in a package or briefcase bomb. The package would be placed in an area and activated by the arming switch. Any movement or tilting of the package would cause the mercury to close the circuit and the bomb would explode.

Arming Switch

Mercury Switch

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Modular IED Training Kit Suicide Vest Detonator Assembly


This detonator assembly could be used by a suicide bomber. A micro toggle switch activated by the bomber will detonate an explosive charge.

Toggle Switch

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Modular IED Training Kit Remote Activated Detonator Assembly


This remote detonator assembly can be used in a package bomb. The package can be placed in an area and detonated at a later time by calling the pager or cell phone from anywhere in the country. The battery is interchangeable with other types of batteries.

Interchangeable Battery

Pager or Cell Phone

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Commercial Explosives
There are various mixtures and trade names are available in the commercial blasting industry
Waste Gels (Slurries), Emulsions and the term Dynamite have all been used to categorize commercial explosives.

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Dynamite
Dynamite is one of the most widely used high explosives in blasting operations. Dynamites vary in their explosive content, strength and sensitivity
Dynamite usually will be found in sticks or cylinder form and wrapped in buff, white or colored waxed paper. Their diameters and lengths also vary with manufactures The ATF list three different Dynamites: Straight, Ammonia and Semi Gelatin

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Dynamite
Straight Dynamite has a sweet pungent odor because of the Nitroglycerin (NG) content. Inhalation of the fumes will cause severe headaches. It is sensitive to shock and friction Ammonia Dynamite has a pungent sweet odor because of the slight NG content. It is less sensitive to shock and contains mostly ammonium nitrate. Gelatin Dynamite is soluble in water and varies from a thick liquid to a tough rubbery gelatinous substance. These are designed for wet blasting operations
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Dynamite
The Explosive Recognition Training aid contains a simulated samples of three types of Dynamite. The Modular IED Training aid contains a simulated dynamite stick. One stick has a well for the detonator. Any of the detonator assemblies could be used with this simulant package.

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Water Gels / Emulsions / Powers


Water Gel is an explosive that contains a substantial amount of water, oxidizers and fuel plus a cross linking agent. Emulsions are explosive material that contain substantial amounts of oxidizers dissolved in water droplets surrounded by a fuel that is incapable of blending or mixing. Powders black powder (saltpeter potassium nitrate) formula was used as early as the 10 century by the Chinese. It is considered a blasting agent.

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Binary Explosives
Binary, or two components, explosives are blasting explosives that are formed by mixing two commercially manufactured prepackaged chemical ingredients (oxidizer and flammable liquids) which individually are not classified as explosives but which are mixed for a detonable mixture The Explosive Recognition Training aid contains simulated samples of binary explosive, water gels, emulsions and powders for hands-on training.
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Military Explosives
The principle difference between military explosives and commercial explosives are that military explosive materials are designed for longer storage and contain no NG
The velocities of military explosives are generally greater than their commercial counterparts

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Military Explosives
TNT is the most common military explosive. Used alone or as part of a composite explosive, is used widely as a booster, bursting or demolition charge. Amatol is a mixture of molten ammonium nitrate and TNT.

PETN (Pentoerythrite Tetranitrate) is more sensitive to shock or fiction than TNT.


RDX is one of the most powerful explosive.

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Military Explosives
C-4 is a mixture of RDX and plasticizing oil. Below is sample of C-4 simulant from the Modular IED Training kit. This simulant can be molded into various shapes and used with any of the detonator assemblies.
Detonator Well

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Military Explosives
All known Semtex variations will contain PETN, in the case Semtex H both RDX and PETN are combined with the binder and plasticizer.
Detonator Wells

These are 2 different sized blocks of Semtex simulant in the Modular IED Training kit. . Each has a well for the detonators and can be used with any of the detonator assemblies.

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Improvised Explosive Devices


The war on terror and most recently the increased news coverage of bombings has made the use of the term Improvised Explosive Device (IED) a daily part of Law Enforcements vocabulary An IED simply stated is a homemade explosive (HME), concealed to prevent its being detected and designed to detonate at a predetermine time to kill or destroy property. The IED Training kit is designed to increase awareness of security personnel to IEDs made from normal items used on a daily basis
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Improvised Explosive Devices


IED Components
Power Supply Detonator

Explosive Main Charge


Sensor (switches/times)

Both the Modular IED Training and Explosive Reognition Training kits have samples of IED components
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Improvised Explosive Devices Lunch box Homemade Explosive (HME)


This lunch box looks like ones you see everyday. It contains a sandwich, a small thermos, a can of soda and a small container of Pringles. However, the soda can is filled with smokeless powder and has a fuse that can be light to detonate the powder. The Pringles and thermos contains plastic explosive, a detonator, battery and suicide switch. The sandwich is a block of plastic explosive, detonator, battery and switch in a plastic bag and wrapped in aluminum foil. This quantity of explosive would cause a large amount of damage or injuries.

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Improvised Explosive Devices Shoe Bomb

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Best Practices
Do not ignore the obvious Be aware of any curious odors Do not move or open any suspect package Do not change environment around the suspect package. Example , if light were on/off, leave them that way Do not transmit a radio within 25 feet of any suspected package

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GST Training Aids


Modular IED Training aid was designed to provide hands-on training to the checkpoint security personnel. All of the IED assemblies contain x-ray explosive simulants to provide training on visual analysis of the x-ray image. Explosive Recognition Training aid was designed to provide a general overview of explosives. The kit contains visual and tactile simulants of manufactured and homemade explosives. The simulants resemble the manufactured explosive (color, consistency & appearance). IED Training aid was designed to provide operational training for security personnel. The kit contains x-ray, visual and tactical simulated explosives that are concealed in normal items we use daily

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GST Security Checkpoint Services


Security Engineering Services (SES) was formed to provide security consultant services in the detection of Home Made Explosive (HME) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) in response to the real and gathering threats at schools, mass transit systems, sport venues, amusement parks, government buildings and public gathers. GST is a prime contractor at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Transportation Security Laboratory. Our scientist and engineers are the leading industry experts because of our background in supporting the DHS programs in Aviation Security for over fifteen years. SES resources, professional contacts and knowledge can assist in negating your organizations risk to HME attacks. SESs Research and Development center supports the Transportation Security Laboratory and is kept abreast on the latest techniques used by terrorist in concealing HME.

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GST Security Checkpoint Services


GST has developed services targeted to the checkpoint at the workplace, courthouse, public buildings, sport venues, amusement parks and others areas of risk. The following services offered can reduce your organization risk to HME threats: Awareness

Threat & Vulnerability Analysis Training Checkpoint / Mailroom Explosive Recognition Training Detection Checkpoint Security Design Equipment Needs Analysis Prevention Threat & countermeasures determination System Audits

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Security Engineering Services

GST Security Checkpoint Services


For more information on our products and services please contact:
Ozzie Gerald Checkpoint Security Sales Manager 109 Floral Vale Blvd Yardley, PA 19067 Office Phone: 215-579-8200 Email: ozzieg@gstpa.com

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