Remarks by Carl J. Truscott
Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
International Association of Arson Investigators National Conference
Arlington, Virginia
April 25, 2005


Note: This is the text as prepared for delivery. The Director sometimes deviates from prepared remarks.

Good morning.

Special Agent Schall, thank you for that introduction, and for your service to ATF. I’d also like to thank Mike Schlatman for the invitation to speak to you this morning.

I’ve taken a look at your conference agenda, and you can look forward to some interesting seminars. And no doubt you’ll go home with some new ideas to use in your analysis in the future. This week, you’ll hear about the latest research on how fire spreads, and how accelerants can affect that process.

Just as fire spreads up and out, the people who investigate fires must work to spread knowledge. Many of you know ATF agents who are certified fire investigators, because those agents are members of IAAI. Our organizations have worked together for many years. We’re learning from our fellow investigators in the public and private sectors, and we’re sharing our knowledge as well. For example, ATF special agents and forensic auditors are conducting training and presentations as part of this year’s IAAI conference.

Today, we’ve got important news: we’re introducing an accelerant into the learning process. ATF and IAAI have worked in partnership to bring you CFITrainer.net, an online training system for fire investigators. The system was designed by working committees of experienced fire investigators. It is available to investigators from the public or private sectors, regardless of their level of training or certification. The community of certified fire investigators will greatly benefit from the combined experience and knowledge offered by CFITrainer.net.

The new system offers the complete learning process in an easy-to-use format. Two training modules, Fire Dynamics and Magnetek Case Review, are currently available. More are scheduled for release shortly. You can complete the entire training process online, from course registration through evaluation tests. Special features such as Webinars—live seminars conducted online—will also be available. You will also be able to earn credit toward your CFI certification and re-certification using this system.

CFITrainer.net is an efficient way to deliver high-quality training efficiently to fire investigators. Because it’s online, it can be kept updated, so it stays up-to-the minute. And it’s convenient for you as well: you can access the training from any computer by going through the website, www.CFITrainer.net.

You can accelerate your own success, by making the best use of the experience and the technology around you. I encourage you to contact local ATF agents and ATF CFIs, and open a dialogue with them. Working with them could make invaluable resources available to you as an investigator. They include our Fire Research Lab, computer modeling, and laboratory services specific to fire investigation.

The new online training offers a great opportunity. I encourage you to seize it and make the most of it. Please use these training courses to strengthen your knowledge, then share this knowledge with your fellow investigators. You can improve your own investigations, as well as contribute to the discipline in which you work. As the system continues to develop, we’ll be seeking your input—on the courses offered, and on additional courses that should be considered. By making full use of it, you’re advancing your own work, and aiding in the successes of others.

By accelerating knowledge within the fire investigation community, ATF works to deter the crime of arson. Information sharing and cooperative investigations lead to successful prosecutions of arsonists. ATF is committed to our role as the lead Federal agency in fire investigation. We will continue to work on behalf of fire investigators, and against criminals using fire as a weapon.

Thank you.

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