Investigating the Crime Scene of the Deadly Explosion in Blitar, the East Java Regional Police Labfor Firecrackers Bring Up to 20 Pieces of Human Body

Residents saw the condition of the buildings damaged by the explosion of cigarette powder for firecracker raw materials in Blitar, East Java, Monday (20/2/2023). (ANTARA)

SURABAYA - The East Java Regional Police Forensic Laboratory (Labfor) fielded two teams to handle the explosion case that occurred in Tegalrejo Hamlet, Karangbendo Village, Ponggok District, Blitar Regency.

"The first team is responsible for finding explosives there. The second team is a DNA team that helps identify victims by the DVI Biddokkes Team for the East Java Police," said Head of Labfor East Java Police Commissioner Sodiq Pratomo in Surabaya, reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 21.

Sodiq said the team had departed and conducted a crime scene (TKP) investigation on Monday (21/2). From the crime scene investigation, the team found several pieces of evidence including three pots, pans, metal shards and cigarette butts.

"First, at the TKP, original materials were found, only in the form of sulfur. So maybe there was a manufacturing process there. We haven't found other materials yet," he said.

Meanwhile, the DNA team assisted the DVI Biddokkes Polda East Java team, supported by the Bhayangkara Kediri Hospital and Srengat Hospital, to identify the victims.

"We brought 20 pieces of human bodies. There were bones, flesh, hair, and others. Plus two blood from the victim's family to determine who the other victim was. Because of them four died at the crime scene, three could be identified, only one remained. unidentified," he said.

Sodiq said that for further processing related to DNA, his party needed more time because the amount of evidence was quite a lot and there were also a lot of bones.

Until now, 23 people have been reported injured as a result of the explosion that occurred in Tegalrejo Hamlet, Karangbendo Village, Ponggok District, Blitar Regency on Sunday (19/2) that evening. One person is still being treated in hospital. In addition, four people died.