Chris Proffitt/Eyewitness News
Noblesville - A series of pipe bombs were detonated as part of a controlled experiment in Noblesville Tuesday morning. It was a learning experience for several students.
Students from IUPUI and state police set off a series of pipe bombs in a Noblesville pit. The object of the exercise was to give students and police a better understanding of the process of the bombs, leading to the arrests of individuals who set them.
"Very easy to make. The components are readily available. So, unfortunately, in Indiana we do have those," said ISP Sgt. Richard Myers.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms investigates hundreds of pipe bomb explosions each year, including a case in Fishers where pipe bombs were placed in several mailboxes.
"It varies from vandalism and mischief to attempted and successful homicide," said Dr. John Goodpaster, an IUPUI forensics professor who participated in the Noblesville tests.
In the experiment, researchers recorded the explosions using a high-speed video camera. That allows students to watch how the fragments fly apart and calculate the speed to estimate how dangerous the explosive is.
"The most crucial question in a bombing investigation is what was the device made of. What type of container, what type of explosive was used and that can lead you to a suspect or help you associate a suspect with that crime," Dr. Goodpaster said.
Students say it's invaluable experience they can't get in a classroom.
"You can find out a lot by just what's there," said IUPUI student Katiana Whitaker.
Recipe for Disaster - Read the 13 Investigates special report about how easy it is for teens to get their hands on bomb-making ingredients - and what parents and law enforcement are doing about it.
