Deployed in 2003, the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS) is a partnership among the Department of Justice, the ATF U.S. Bomb Data Center, and members of the nation's fire and post-blast investigative communities. The purpose is to develop a comprehensive incident based information sharing system. For the first time, law enforcement agencies and investigators of national arson and explosives related incidents were able to share real-time information in a nationally secure system. BATS is solely dedicated to fire and post-blast incidents and also offers members of the Bomb Squad/EOD community the ability to see real-time data about improvised explosive and incendiary devices that are used throughout the country.

The features of the BATS program can be used by any law enforcement agency that has an existing records management system Those who looking for a basic turn-key records management solution, solely dedicated to the violent crime of arson and bombing, may also use the system.

The BATS application offers many advanced features including: locally controlled access levels to incidents contributed, reporting features, Geographic Information System Mapping (GIS), and the ability to append images to records.

For an agency to participate in the BATS program, the following requirements must be met:

• The agency must be a duly constituted, empowered, and regulated law enforcement agency that is responsible for the investigation of incidents involving arson and the suspected criminal misuse of explosives;
  
• The agency and its members that will use BATS must have access and user privileges to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Such access and user privileges must be maintained during the agency's participation in the BATS program; and
  
• The agency must have a valid Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) number.

If your agency meets the above requirements and wishes to be considered for participation in the program, please submit a letter of interest from your department’s chief on your departmental letterhead to:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
U.S. Bomb Data Center - BATS Program
99 New York Avenue, NE,
Room 8S295
Washington, DC 20226

After the letter of interest is received, and the department is found qualified to participate in the program, additional information will be provided.

For general information regarding BATS, please fill out the following form:

BATS 3.2 Enhancements