UC’s Institute of Physics gives insights on explosives to LABOCAR and GOPE of Carabineros
During the second semester of 2022, the course “Explosive Devices in Criminalistics: Physical Foundations and Effects” was taught , aimed particularly at LABOCAR personnel from different parts of Chile and GOPE from Carabineros de Chile.
The course, designed and taught by the Physics Institute professor, Dr. Donovan Díaz, addressed the physical foundations of explosions. “This training can be key in the expert function of the different specialized departments, since the course addresses everything from the energetic, thermochemical and kinetic aspects that explosions involve, to the characteristics of the shock wave generated in a detonation, the effects that it produces in the environment and types of damage in human beings” , explained the academic.
In this version of the course, the engineer Cristián Flores, who is a ballistics expert, artificer gunsmith and Second Sergeant of the Chilean Carabineros, participated as an assistant. His collaboration made it possible to present case studies related to the real and professional environment faced by police officers in situations involving explosive devices.
“Participating as an assistant in this course gave my colleagues the opportunity to learn by applying theory in practical exercises that they face as integrated teams. Officials from specialties such as LABOCAR, GOPE and OS9 of our institution actively participate in the investigation of attacks with improvised or industrial explosive devices at the national level and that is where the knowledge acquired becomes relevant, since it will allow investigations to be carried out with a unrestricted adherence to scientific methodology and answer questions that even before the course compromised the experts in oral trials” , said Second Sergeant Cristian Flores.
“Today with the knowledge delivered, judges will be able to apply the law and sentence beyond any reasonable doubt those who torment our society in this treacherous way ,” he added.
This course continued along the lines of other courses previously taught by the UC Physics Institute for Carabineros de Chile, which dealt with Physical Fundamentals of Intermediate and Terminal Ballistics.
A profitable experience
The instance had a great impact on its participants, since it gave them tools to be better trained when dealing with explosives.
“The course was immensely useful and I was able to acquire a lot of knowledge due to the excellent methodology in which it was carried out, consisting of video classes, and the assistantships, in which one could solve the exercises and doubts of the classes, in addition, the contents delivered by both professionals in the area. Personally, it benefits me in my daily work as a criminal expert, where sometimes one is faced with cases in which there are explosive devices involved and their respective effects. Now, thanks to the course we have taken, we can deliver much more precise and well-founded information based on scientific support” , stated Pablo Silva, 1st Sergeant of the Carabineros, and Ballistics expert in the Labocar Section of Temuco.
Along the same lines, Diego Ripetti, Carabineros Lieutenant, endowed by the Prefecture of Special Operations GOPE, highlighted that ” the content delivered by the teachers has a great impact on the daily work carried out by the GOPE of Carabineros de Chile, especially in the work of expert reports on explosive devices, managing to be a complement for the training of experts in explosives, with a point of view from science. The main purpose being to have more prepared and professional Carabineros” .