HYPERION

Hyperspectral imaging IED and explosives reconnaissance system

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The objective with the HYPERION project is to develop and test a system concept for the on-site forensic analysis of an explosion. The forensic tools and procedures used will in majority be at safe stand-off detection distances. This will also include tools for identification of unexploded IEDs. The on-site data provided by the HYPERION system will be the type and amount of explosive used in the attack, the point of origin of the detonation and an assessment of the type of IED. The crime scene will be mapped using 3D-registration and in the map the positions that have been analysed in detail will be marked. The forensic tools and data will be of a quality that can be used as evidence in a court of law. The quality assured data will be on-site electronically documented and sent to the police instantaneously at the crime scene. At a crime scene, due to the detonation of an IED, police, ambulance, fire brigade and the crime scene unit are parties that must be present. The first measures taken at a crime scene due to a detonation of an IED are the initiation of rescue actions. In parallel to the rescue actions the HYPERION system can be used. This includes the collection of forensic data and risk assessment of suspected unexploded IEDs using stand-off detection of the post-blast scene. After the rescue operations, all of the forensic tools of HYPERION can be used in order to investigate the type and amount of explosive used in the attack. In combination with the 3D registration of the crime scene a reverse-event analysis can be performed giving the size of the charge and point of origin for the detonation. After the crime scene area has been secured, the laboratory forensic sampling and analysis can be started. New and validated sampling protocols will be developed. The crime scene is finally left to the rescue leader for clearing up the area. The consortium consists of four research organisations, three industries, two SMEs and three end users.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU team are in the progress of developing a system for quick forensic analysis of crime scenes after bomb attacks. The tools provide a capability to determine the type of explosives used, an estimate of the charge size, a 3D reconstruction of the scene and thus an assessment of the type of IED used.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The threat and fear from terrorist attacks in Europe is a real concern where bomb attacks has been executed in numerous of occasions. Consequently, the future risks of such events remain unchanged. Currently, no commercial systems are available that offers rapid on-site tools using stand-off forensic analyses of the crime scene such as the detection of explosive residues.

The EU-funded 'Hyperspectral imaging IED and explosives reconnaissance system' (http://www.hyperion-fp7.eu (HYPERION)) project aims to develop and test the proof of principle for such a system. Stand-off detection means an analysis of the chemical composition of a compound from a distance using spectroscopic techniques. The HYPERION system is also intended to provide a three-dimensionally map of a crime scene. Using these methods, the system will determine the type of explosive and this will enable the possibility to assess the type of improvised explosive device used. In the research, an inverse explosion analysis tool has also been developed where the amount of explosive ingredients used can be estimated. The data are expected to be robust enough for use as trial evidence. The 13-member consortium runs for 3 years to October 2015.

The work began with analysing the operational and technical requirements for explosive forensic investigations. HYPERION, jointly with the FORLAB project, organised a workshop to gather such information, which resulted in a list of explosives to focus on and an understanding of the proposed data management system.

The team has conducted experimental field explosions in relevant scenarios taking the knowledge of historical bomb attacks into consideration which yielded information about how explosive residues are dispersed at a post-blast scene. In the experiments, samples were collected for analysis using imaging Raman and Infrared spectroscopic techniques as well as using methods deployed in a conventional laboratory. The researchers concluded that sufficient residues were present for stand-off spectroscopic analyses, thereby proving the viability of the project's concept. The consortium is presently optimising the tools in order to enhance performance characteristics such as sensitivity of analytical devices.

Some of the further work involves making the equipment rugged enough for outdoor use. Improvements include controlling parameters such as temperature, humidity and dust.

Forensic sampling methods have been compiled and reviewed with input sources being literature and forensic police forces. Various sampling methods have been tested with respect to the performance of the methods. The studies of explosive recoveries of the sampling methods have been checked where experimental parameters such as type of explosive, sample matrices and sampling materials used being varied. The team has also compared different sampling patterns normally deployed when structuring a crime scene.

The HYPERION project will provide a system for rapid and reliable post-blast analysis, able to provide strong forensic evidence as required for criminal trials. The system's capacity to detect suspected unexploded IEDs will also improve safety for police personnel.