FORENSIC ASSESSMENT OF HOMEMADE AIRSOFT GRENADES

Abstract

The paper presents the results of forensic analysis of improvised dummy grenades modeled after the airsoft hand grenade RGS-4 for use in tactical simulation wargames like «Airsoft». Initial testing by experts affiliated with a different system of forensic science institutes led to the conclusion that these devices are capable of producing explosions and causing fragmentation damage. The purpose of this study conducted by two forensic science centers of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation was to correct the classification of improvised devices as explosive devices. Results indicate that these devices that consist of a cardboard (paper) or rubber-like casing filled with dried peas, with a «Korsar-4» firecracker in the middle, have the formal characteristics of an explosive device but cannot be regarded as such (as per Article 222 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), since they are in effect typical imitation pyrotechnic devices similar to dummy hand grenades RGS-4 and display no significant damaging properties.

Keywords

• forensic explosion and explosives investigation
• explosive devices
• firecrackers
• pyrotechnics
• imitation grenades