At least one editor has resigned from Bentham because the paper was routed around them. The 'peer review' was a put up job and editors who have their reputations on the line will not allow such to happen. I have reviewed many journal papers in my career and I can say that any competent chemist would never have allowed this to be published as it is.
Samples of the original paint would have to be scraped from the beams and then the sample would have to have a chain of custody. Running any sample surreptitiously is not a good plan as it casts doubt on the results. For claims such as Jones is making, multiple analyses would be necessary. The best way to do this, if one could get the samples, would be to send them to several nationally recognized analytical laboratories along with samples of the dust. Replicates from multiple labs would be more believeable than some back-door runs by someone with an axe to grind.
I believe that this is unlikely to happen even if the samples are available. It would be more facile to correctly analyze the existing samples, as previously suggested, beginning with XRD. These are common instruments and costs would be minimal. A local industrial laboratory could provide the analysis and interpretation, removing Jones from the chain and providing an unbiased analysis. If the Jones team is honest about wanting to characterize the red chips, they could get donations from their supporters to do this. Results suggesting thermite would then instigate further analyses and more investigation. Jones would be a hero for bringing this forward and get all the limelight that he desires.
edit on 1/6/2011 by
pteridine because: spelling correction

