KortneySchaum WE4

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Feb 20, 2024

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1 Forensic Investigation of Pan Am Flight 103 Kortney Schaum Saint Leo University CRJ-548: Crime Scene Investigation Dr. Jade Pumphrey 04/08/23

2 Abstract In the past three decades, the United States has never stopped seeking justice for the American people. A terrorist bomb blew up Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21, 1988 (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.). In fact, the Pan Am 103 bombing was the first major attack against Americans. The attack killed 35 Syracuse University students, two State Department diplomats, one CIA agent, and eleven Lockerbie residents (Remembrance, n.d.). The investigation into this case has been ongoing since 1988. Throughout the 11-year investigation, multidisciplinary investigators from many countries contributed, including an CIA electronics expert who uncovered key evidence (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.). The investigation included 15,000 interviews and 180,000 pieces of evidence (Katersky et al., 2022). Analyzing the fragment further revealed that it was part of a timer circuit made specifically for Libyans. Among them were nine pieces of black plastic, a wire, and a metal fragment. It has been 34 years since Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed in Scotland by a bomb that has been in custody in the United States since it went off. Keywords : bomb, Pan Am Flight 103, Libyans, evidence

3 Forensic Investigation of Pan Am Flight 103 In the past three decades, the United States has never stopped seeking justice for the American people. A terrorist bomb blew up Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21, 1988. As a matter of fact, the Pan Am 103 bombing was the first major terrorist attack against Americans (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.). There was an amount of 270 people who were killed in the bombing. There were 21 nations represented among the victims. A total of 35 Syracuse University students, two State Department Diplomatic Security Agents, one CIA officer, and eleven Lockerbie residents were killed (Remembrance, n.d.). There has been an ongoing investigation into this case since 1988. Case Background London's Heathrow Airport was the departure point for Pan Am Flight 103's trip to New York City on December 21, 1988 Remembrance, n.d.). In the next few minutes, the Boeing 747, known as Clipper Maid of the Seas, leveled off at 31,000 feet Remembrance, n.d.). A basketball- sized hole was blown in the fuselage just north of England's border with Scotland. 259 people, including children, were onboard the plane when it broke apart and fell to the ground. All of them, as well as 11 Lockerbie residents, were killed (Remembrance, n.d.). A terrorist bomb planted in a suitcase in the forward cargo hold was ultimately proved to be the cause of the catastrophe. Over the next thirty years, an investigation was conducted into a bombing on Pan Am Flight 103. The Investigation In preparation for the oceanic segment of the flight, the plane reached approximately 31,000 feet in altitude when a timer-activated bomb exploded. A cassette player that was stored in a suitcase contained a bomb made of the odorless plastic explosive Semtex (Katersky et al.,

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4 2022). There was an explosion of plastic explosives in the forward cargo hold, which triggered events leading to the destruction of the aircraft in a very short period of time. Over an area of 845 square miles, victims and debris were scattered along an 81-mile corridor (Katersky et al., 2022). An intensive, meticulous and expensive criminal investigation was conducted into Pan Am 103 alone. Over 11 years, multidisciplinary investigators from a variety of countries contributed to the jigsaw puzzle, including an electronics expert from the CIA who uncovered key evidence (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.). It took months for a piece of scorched shirt to be discovered after the primary recovery effort ended. In the piece, there was a circuit board fragment fused to the polyester fabric of the shirt, caused by the heat of the explosion (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.). Investigators photographed this fragment and gave it to the FBI, who sent it to the CIA, where an electronics expert noticed two similarities to the Libyan terror timers (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.). The fragment was found to match a timer circuit made specifically for the Libyans after a closer examination. According to Katersky et al. (2022), many investigators speculated that the attack was retaliation for a 1986 American bombing campaign against Libya's capital city, Tripoli. The two suspects were not handed over by Muammar al-Qaddafi, the Libyan leader, despite numerous requests from the United States (Katersky et al., 2022). It culminated in a momentous court verdict in 2001 after years of forensic investigation and intelligence. Forensic Lab Analysis and Technology Lab Analysis and Technology Then It was estimated that 15,000 people were interviewed and 180,000 pieces of evidence were examined during the investigation (Katersky et al., 2022). A court found Abdulbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison (Central Intelligence

5 Agency, n.d.). Through these individuals being found guilty there was much evidence used to find these individuals guilty. Several pieces of the suitcase that contained the bomb, a circuit board fragment, and clothing items identified as belonging to a Malta business were found in extreme circumstances, leading to the Libyan intelligence officers (Faruqui, 2020). Blast Fragments A multilayered fragment of metal, a small wire fragment, and nine pieces of black plastic were embedded within the charred cloth. Toshiba's RT-SF 16 and its manual were identified as the source of these fragments (Faruqui, 2020). The forensic examiners determined these factors led to the conclusion that the cloth most probably originated from inside the IED suitcase. In addition to that fabric, a green circuit board was embedded within it. This circuit board would eventually be identified as "PT/35 (Faruqui, 2020). During the investigation, the Scots photographed an electrical component from the circuit board fragment, which was then passed on to the FBI, which passed it on to the CIA, where a scientist from the directorate of science and technology noticed two things that resembled a previous Libyan terrorist attack timer (Faruqui, 2020). An analysis of the fragment confirmed that it exactly matched what was on a timer circuit made especially for the Libyans. Suitcase Fragments There were 56 fragments of a suitcase found during fingertip searches around Lockerbie that showed extensive blast damage (Faruqui, 2020). Using the expertise of luggage manufacturers, it was determined that the pieces were from a brown, hardshell Samsonite Silhouette 4000 suitcase measuring 26 inches (Faruqui, 2020). Additionally, DERA determined that 24 items of luggage, including clothes, were inside the suitcase when it exploded. After investigation forensics found that the suitcase containing the explosive was likely not in contact

6 with the floor of the baggage container and was most likely located on the second layer of the luggage container (Faruqui, 2020). Investigators recreated the path of the IED suitcase from where it entered the airline baggage system to when it was placed on the Pan Am Flight 103. Fiber Evidence Lots of evidence was found at the crime scene. At least 13 personal belongings were found in the suitcase, including 12 pieces of clothing and an umbrella, and there is a high probability that the suitcase also contained the explosive (Faruqui, 2020). A large number of the brands identified were manufactured in or sold in Malta. Faruqui (2020), reports that during their investigation in Malta, they found the number 1705 inside a pair of "Yorkie" trousers. On November 18, 1988, a stamp with a unique number was delivered to a store named Mary's House in Sliema, Malta (Faruqui, 2020). Their analysis of the explosion evidence was compared to control samples collected from Mary's House and other locations in Malta (Faruqui, 2020). As a result of forensic examinations, multiple control samples revealed identical characteristics to the evidence in the IED suitcase. RARDE was contacted to analyze a piece of charred cloth that was recovered from the crime scene by Scotland's police (Faruqui, 2020). According to the analysis, the piece of cloth was from a grey shirt's neckband. Despite the absence of identifying features, the cloth resembled in every material respect the neckband of a branded shirt obtained as a control (Faruqui, 2020). An investigation report shows the affected piece of neckband contained significant explosion damage with localized penetration holes and blackening consistent with explosive involvement (Faruqui, 2020). Lab Analysis and Technology Today

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7 Today there have been many advances in technology and this has changed a lot in the field of forensics. As a result, techniques like matching clothing fibers with footprints found on a suspect are becoming increasingly popular. Throughout history, criminal investigations have increasingly been conducted using rational, evidence-based approaches. Many forensic technologies are also becoming more sensitive as DNA analysis technology advances. However, this case is still looked at today and there was just a new suspect found three years ago. Blast Fragments Unfortunately, over the years bombing and explosions have become more common. The bombing fragment was photographed and sent to FBI for examination. If this occurred today this evidence would have been examined further in person by these individuals. The fragments would have been examined in detail to determine specific key features. Investigators today would have found many key details in the blast fragments to better connect the bomb to the bombers. Suitcase Fragments There were 56 fragments that were found at the scene of the explosion. This evidence was a key part, and they utilized the right people to find the type of the suitcase and the details. Using the expertise of a luggage expert was important to this investigation. The investigation was able to determine what items were found insides of the luggage and that it was a key part of the bomb. Fiber Evidence In today's forensics, fiber analysis is one of the oldest forensic tools used. Fiber analysis was created in France in 1857 and has advanced ever since. A number of sources have successfully linked suspects to crime scenes, including clothing fibers, carpet fibers, and the trunks of cars. A side-by-side assessment of fiber texture and wear is conducted with high-

8 powered comparison microscopes. Fibers can be chemically analyzed to determine their chemical composition. In this bombing the many pieces of evidence would have used one of these many techniques to analyze the evidence. Conclusion In the United States, a man suspected of making the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, 34 years ago has been captured. Authorities in both the United States and Scotland have reported the incident. An attack on the Central Intelligence Agency in 1988 claimed the lives of 270 people (Central Intelligence Agency, unknown). Through these individuals being found guilty there was much evidence used to find these individuals guilty. A circuit board fragment and clothing items traced to a Malta business were found in extreme circumstances, which led to the Libyan intelligence officers (Faruqui, 2020). Circuit-board fragments identified by the CIA expert were crucial to proving the guilt of one of the Libyan terrorists. As a result of this investigation, which took many years and involved 180,000 people, all those involved in the bombings have been convicted.

9 References Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, February 13). Pan Am flight 103 . Encyclopedia Britannica . https://www.britannica.com/event/Pan-Am-flight-103 Central Intelligence Agency. (n.d.). About the Terrorist Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/legacy/museum/exhibit/terrorist-bombing-of-pan-am-flight-103/ Emerson, S. (2004). The Lockerbie Terrorist Attack and Libya: A Retrospective Analysis. Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law, 36(2). Faruqui, Z. (2020). Affidavit in support of a criminal complaint . Justice.gov. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1347321/download Katersky, A., Mallin, A., & Hutchinson, B. (2022). Suspect in 1988 Pan Am 103 explosion that killed 270 people taken into custody by US. ABC News. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/International/suspect-1988-pan-103-bombing-custody-us/story? id=94989015 Remembrance. (n.d.). Syracuse University. Retrieved from https://remembrance.syr.edu/about/

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