Preliminary Considerations for Crime Scene Analysis in Cases of Animals Affected by Homemade Ammonium Nitrate and Aluminum Powder Anti-Personnel Landmines in Colombia: Characteristics and Effects
During the armed conflict in Colombia, homemade improvised antipersonnel landmines were used to neutralize the adversary. Many active artifacts remain buried, causing damage to biodiversity by exploding. The extensive literature describes the effects and injuries caused to humans by conventional lan...
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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author | Carlos Jaramillo Gutiérrez Gustavo Farías Roldán Krešimir Severin Ubicelio Martin Orozco Pilar Marín García Víctor Toledo González |
author_facet | Carlos Jaramillo Gutiérrez Gustavo Farías Roldán Krešimir Severin Ubicelio Martin Orozco Pilar Marín García Víctor Toledo González |
author_sort | Carlos Jaramillo Gutiérrez |
collection | DOAJ |
description | During the armed conflict in Colombia, homemade improvised antipersonnel landmines were used to neutralize the adversary. Many active artifacts remain buried, causing damage to biodiversity by exploding. The extensive literature describes the effects and injuries caused to humans by conventional landmines. However, there is considerably less information on the behavior and effects of homemade antipersonnel landmines on fauna and good field investigation practices. Our objectives were to describe the characteristics of a controlled explosion of a homemade antipersonnel landmine (using ammonium nitrate as an explosive substance), to compare the effectiveness of some evidence search patterns used in forensic investigation, and to determine the effects on a piece of an animal carcass. The explosion generated a shock wave and an exothermic reaction, generating physical effects on the ground and surrounding structures near the point of explosion. The amputation of the foot in direct contact with the device during the explosion and multiple fractures were the main effects on the animal carcass. Finally, it was determined that finding evidence was more effective in a smaller search area. Many factors can influence the results, which must be weighed when interpreting the results, as discussed in this manuscript. |
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issn | 2076-2615 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:40:27Z |
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spelling | doaj.art-a7b4654b7fb54fbf9f622a2e33c109f42023-12-03T12:25:55ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-07-011215193810.3390/ani12151938Preliminary Considerations for Crime Scene Analysis in Cases of Animals Affected by Homemade Ammonium Nitrate and Aluminum Powder Anti-Personnel Landmines in Colombia: Characteristics and EffectsCarlos Jaramillo Gutiérrez0Gustavo Farías Roldán1Krešimir Severin2Ubicelio Martin Orozco3Pilar Marín García4Víctor Toledo González5Criminal Investigation Program, Law School, University of Medellín, Carrera 87 #30-65, Medellín 050026, ColombiaDepartment of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences Physiopathology and Toxicology Laboratory, University of Chile, Avda. Santa Rosa 11735, 88.208-08 Cas. 2 Co. 15, La Pintana 6640022, ChileDepartment of Forensic and State Veterinary Medicine, ForesicLAB, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10 000 Zagreb, CroatiaLaboratory of Anatomic Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Science, Institute of Biomedical Science, Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez, Av. Benjamin Franklin No. 4650, Zona PRONAF, Ciudad de Juárez 32315, MexicoDepartment of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro, s/n., 28040 Madrid, SpainCINQUIFOR Research Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid–Barcelona km 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, SpainDuring the armed conflict in Colombia, homemade improvised antipersonnel landmines were used to neutralize the adversary. Many active artifacts remain buried, causing damage to biodiversity by exploding. The extensive literature describes the effects and injuries caused to humans by conventional landmines. However, there is considerably less information on the behavior and effects of homemade antipersonnel landmines on fauna and good field investigation practices. Our objectives were to describe the characteristics of a controlled explosion of a homemade antipersonnel landmine (using ammonium nitrate as an explosive substance), to compare the effectiveness of some evidence search patterns used in forensic investigation, and to determine the effects on a piece of an animal carcass. The explosion generated a shock wave and an exothermic reaction, generating physical effects on the ground and surrounding structures near the point of explosion. The amputation of the foot in direct contact with the device during the explosion and multiple fractures were the main effects on the animal carcass. Finally, it was determined that finding evidence was more effective in a smaller search area. Many factors can influence the results, which must be weighed when interpreting the results, as discussed in this manuscript.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/15/1938homemade antipersonnel landminelandminesbiodiversitycrime scene analysisveterinary forensic medicine |
spellingShingle | Carlos Jaramillo Gutiérrez Gustavo Farías Roldán Krešimir Severin Ubicelio Martin Orozco Pilar Marín García Víctor Toledo González Preliminary Considerations for Crime Scene Analysis in Cases of Animals Affected by Homemade Ammonium Nitrate and Aluminum Powder Anti-Personnel Landmines in Colombia: Characteristics and Effects Animals homemade antipersonnel landmine landmines biodiversity crime scene analysis veterinary forensic medicine |
title | Preliminary Considerations for Crime Scene Analysis in Cases of Animals Affected by Homemade Ammonium Nitrate and Aluminum Powder Anti-Personnel Landmines in Colombia: Characteristics and Effects |
title_full | Preliminary Considerations for Crime Scene Analysis in Cases of Animals Affected by Homemade Ammonium Nitrate and Aluminum Powder Anti-Personnel Landmines in Colombia: Characteristics and Effects |
title_fullStr | Preliminary Considerations for Crime Scene Analysis in Cases of Animals Affected by Homemade Ammonium Nitrate and Aluminum Powder Anti-Personnel Landmines in Colombia: Characteristics and Effects |
title_full_unstemmed | Preliminary Considerations for Crime Scene Analysis in Cases of Animals Affected by Homemade Ammonium Nitrate and Aluminum Powder Anti-Personnel Landmines in Colombia: Characteristics and Effects |
title_short | Preliminary Considerations for Crime Scene Analysis in Cases of Animals Affected by Homemade Ammonium Nitrate and Aluminum Powder Anti-Personnel Landmines in Colombia: Characteristics and Effects |
title_sort | preliminary considerations for crime scene analysis in cases of animals affected by homemade ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder anti personnel landmines in colombia characteristics and effects |
topic | homemade antipersonnel landmine landmines biodiversity crime scene analysis veterinary forensic medicine |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/15/1938 |
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