What is the most common type of Improvised Explosive Device (IED)?

The most common type of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is widely recognized as the pipe bomb. This choice is correct because pipe bombs are relatively easy to construct using readily available materials, such as pipes, explosives, and shrapnel components. Their simplicity and the commonality of their materials make them a favored choice for individuals looking to create an explosive device without extensive training or resources.

Pipe bombs can be made with various types of explosives, and their design allows for significant damage or injury due to the shrapnel and the explosive force generated upon detonation. This factors into their prevalence in incidents involving improvised devices.

While other types of explosives, like dynamite or C-4, are more potent and professional-grade materials, they typically require more specific knowledge or access to restricted resources, limiting their common use in the context of improvised devices. Fertilizer bombs, while also used, generally require additional components or processes to achieve the desired explosive effect and are not as frequently seen as pipe bombs in various reported incidents.