Citation

Clancey VJ. J. Occup. Accid. 1981; 3(3): 195-205.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

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PMID

unavailable

Abstract

There are certain significant differences in the investigation of explosions in aircraft and in ships. The differences arise because the primary question for which an answer is sought in each case is generally different.In the case of an aircraft the primary question is was there an explosion? When an aircraft falls for no apparent reason out of a clear turbulence-free sky one may suspect an explosion, possibly sabotage. The first target of the investigation is to determine whether there was an explosion. If the answer is yes, further questions arise and the investigation is directed to answering these questions.When the investigator is called to a ship casualty it is generally already clear whether there was an explosion. Statements by the crew and other witnesses and an overview of the damage establish that fact. The primary question is, in such cases, what was the cause?In the case of a tanker carrying a cargo capable of producing an inflammable vapour the problem is generally narrowed to establishing how an explosive vapour mixture came to be formed and how it was ignited.In the case of a dry-cargo ship a search must be made for a potential explosive medium followed by a search for a mode of initiation. This may be in the cargo or an explosion may occur in the engine room.On rare occasions the ship may have struck a mine, been fired upon or dredged up a military weapon.Examples will be given of particular aspects in a number of recent investigations to illustrate the problems and techniques used.