There are two kinds of explosives; low explosives and high explosives. All explosives are a mixture of an oxidising agent and a fuel. Low explosives exert a throwing effect - hurtling any objects or people nearby. High explosives have a much more devastating effect. They explode at rates between 1000 and 8500 metres per second, which is very powerful. High explosives create more of a shattering effect than the low explosives' throwing effect.

When explosion fragments are collected from a crime scene they are washed in a formula called acetone, which dissolves most of the chemical components. Chromatography is then used to analyse the samples retrieved. Forensics specialists can then identify the make of the explosive used.