Forensic analyses of debris from the fatal explosion of an electrochemical “cold fusion” cell revealed the presence of unanticipated organic residues that could be very important in the future design and performance of these experiments. A hydrocarbon oil, likely a lubricant from machining the metal components of the electrolysis cell, was detected on the interior cell walls. Reactions of oil with electrolytic oxygen have the potential for significant energy generation and could have contributed to the initiation and total energy inventory of the subject explosion.