Version 1 / Date of Issue: 10.29.15 / Issuing Authority: Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB)

 OSAC Research Needs Assessment Form 

Title of research need: 

Keywords: 

Submitting subcommittee(s): Date Approved: 

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.) 

Background information: 

1. Description of research need: 

2. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: 

3a. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities? 

 

Explosions and detonations can produce temperatures of thousands of degrees. As a result, partial chemical 

transformation of the explosive, rather than complete decomposition, may occur. In the case of the oxidizers 

chlorate and perchlorate, the concern is that chemical transformation may result in the wrong chlorine

oxidizer being identified as the principle reactant, thus, misleading the investigation. A study is needed to 

determine if chlorate <-> perchlorate transformations can occur during an explosion and to what extent they 

occur.

Alvisi, U. “Experimental investigations about new explosion and detonation materials” Gazzetta 

Chimica Italiana, 1899, 29, II, 478-90.

The results of this research would provide the analyst with guidance as to the proper way to report 

an explosion involving chlorine oxides.

Potential transformation of chlorate to perchlorate and visa-versa during explosion 

Transformation chlorate to perchlorate, transformation perchlorate to chlorate 

Fire Debris & Explosives 5/12/2017 
Version 1 / Date of Issue: 10.29.15 / Issuing Authority: Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB)

3b. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)? 

3c. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system? 

4. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): 

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.

Major gap 

in current 

knowledge 

Minor gap 

in current 

knowledge 

No or limited 

current research 

is being 

conducted 

I III 

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted 

II IV 

The proposed project addresses the question of whether post-blast explosive transformation 

products can be used reliably as evidence of the original oxidizer. In the case of chlorate to 

perchlorate, it is known this transformation occurs electrochemically. If this transformation occurs 

readily with heat, then this fact should be known by forensic analysts and investigators. 

Forensic scientists can provide accurate and precise information to the scene investigators 

regarding the type of oxidizer used. 

 III 
Version 1 / Date of Issue: 10.29.15 / Issuing Authority: Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB)

// Approval date: 

(Approval is by majority vote of subcommittee. Once approved, forward to SAC.)

1. Does the SAC agree with the research need? Yes ⃝ No ⃝ 

2. Does the SAC agree with the status assessment? Yes ⃝ No ⃝ 

 

If no, what is the status assessment of the SAC:

Approval date: 

(Approval is by majority vote of SAC. Once approved, forward to NIST for posting.) 

Subcommittee 5/26/2017

SAC 

12Feb2018 [SAC voted yes to both questions]