Criminal Investigative Analysis
Since 1986, ATF has maintained a joint program with the FBI at the Arson and Bombing Investigative Services Subunit (ABIS) of the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) in Quantico, Virginia.
The NCAVC has as its primary mission the construction of "profiles" of unidentified offenders through a detailed analysis of violent crimes and aberrant behavior. The ABIS is responsible for assisting in investigations of arson fires, bombings, terrorism, computer intrusions, and related violent crimes submitted to the NCAVC by federal, state, local, and foreign law enforcement agencies.
The ABIS may be called upon to provide consultations relating to criminal
investigative analysis of arson and bombing offenses. These consultations
involve onsite crime scene assessments, interview and investigative technique
strategies, personality assessments, geography of crimes, training programs,
research interviews, and, when appropriate, courtroom testimony. In 1995,
the ABIS handled a total of 95 cases.