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Al-Lataminah M4000 Reconstruction

USE CASE
📖3 min read
The M4000 munition model from Forensic Architecture's Al-Lataminah investigation

Provenance​

SourceOrganisation & peopleLink
InvestigationForensic Architectureforensic-architecture.org
3D model archiveForensic Architecturegithub.com/…/41
Sarin attack analysis (2017)Bellingcatbellingcat.com
First images of the bomb typeBellingcatbellingcat.com

Introduction​

Forensic Architecture reconstructed the M4000 munition used in the chemical attacks at Al-Lataminah, Syria, in March and April 2017. The model matches fragment geometry and projected evidence photographs against technical blueprints. It shows the original shape and origin of a fragmented chemical munition in 3D space.

Background​

In the Al-Lataminah chemical attack investigation (Syria, 2017), Forensic Architecture had to prove the origin of a fragmented munition from limited 2D evidence. This case demonstrates situating evidence within 3D space.

How it was likely made​

  1. Modeling the M4000 body (certain): realized using leaked 2D technical blueprints (Russian MoD), hard-surface modeled from reference with the blueprints as a 1:1 "jig."
  2. Shrapnel modeling (hybrid approach):
    • Manual geometry matching: estimating shrapnel geometry manually, light camera matching, then vertex manipulation to match the photo — highly time-consuming.
    • Photogrammetry: used intermittently when video walkthroughs of intact munitions became available (late 2019).
  3. Texture mapping — Project from View: evidence photographs projected onto the 3D geometry.

Animation: shape keys morph shrapnel geometry back to the intact model, animating the transition to demonstrate original fragment positions.

Two likely workflows:

  1. Model from blueprint → shape parts to match shrapnel (sculpt/vertex manipulation) → animate via shape keys.
  2. Model from blueprint + photogrammetry of the shrapnel → morph via shape keys → animate. More accurate but more complex.

Open questions​

  • Which exact scanning techniques were used on the shrapnel?
  • Some pieces have details that could not come from a single image; most parts have projected textures.

Summary​

This case shows how 2D blueprints, manual fragment matching and intermittent photogrammetry combine into a defensible munition model. Shape-key animation returns damaged fragments to their original positions, which makes the reconstruction readable as evidence.

Resources​

Sources​