ATF DIRECTOR CARL J. TRUSCOTT ADDRESSES INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERS 31ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Director Carl J. Truscott delivered the keynote address this morning at the 31st annual conference of the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) and announced improvements to keep America safer from the threat of illegal explosives use.

“American society benefits from the use of explosives,” said Director Truscott. “At the same time, it is essential to protect our society from the potentially catastrophic consequences of explosives used in the wrong way.”

“The Society looks forward to continuing to build on its positive relationship with ATF, working toward enhanced security and improved communication,” said Jeffrey L. Dean, executive director and general counsel of ISEE. “We are working together to ensure safe practices through a strong educational program.”

The partnership with ISEE has helped to make progress toward resolving complex issues, like accounting for bulk explosives. ATF is working to prevent criminals from exploiting the explosives industry as a soft target. The agency has addressed two major concerns in the industry: physical security and diversion.

ATF developed a checklist of security provisions to give the industry ideas to keep its supplies secure. Additionally, the potential for explosives to be diverted into illegal commerce, by theft or illegal sales, prompted ATF to focus on the internal controls of explosives companies. ATF is examining the records and procedures of businesses to suggest improvements that would strengthen practices that could be exploited by terrorists, thereby helping proprietors avoid this potential hazard. ATF continues to work with the industry to ensure that explosives are used in a safe and lawful manner.

ATF maintains the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS), the arson and explosives incident database for the Department of Justice. Recently updated, BATS allows law enforcement partners nationwide to share data and images of arson, improvised explosives devices, and crime scenes over the Internet in real time.

The mission of ISEE is to advance the science and art of explosives engineering. More than 1,500 members - from multiple disciplines within the explosives field - are expected to attend the three-day conference.

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