Arson
and Explosives Training Programs
|
|
Crimes involving
arson and explosives are the most devastating crimes confronting our society.
They destroy property, disrupt human lives, and place an ever increasing
economic burden upon our citizens. The increasing number of violent acts
involving arson and explosives has established a greater need for State
and local investigators with a high level of expertise.
In response to this problem, and by virtue of its statutory authority
under Title XI of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, ATF initiates
investigations and assists in State and local bomb and arson investigations.
ATF's experience in these investigations has shown that a cooperative
effort between trained State and local officers and ATF results in more
effective investigations.
In order for law enforcement to adequately combat these violations, cooperation
among Federal, state, and local agencies is essential to achieve this
coordinated effort.
As part of this cooperative effort, ATF offers training in arson and explosives
for state and local investigators and prosecutors. Click here for a copy of the
State and Local Training Registration Request.
Courses:
Advanced Cause and
Origin/Courtroom Techniques
Advanced Explosives
Destruction Techniques
Advanced Explosives
Investigative Techniques
Complex Arson Investigative
Techniques
Post Blast Investigative
Techniques
Advanced Cause and Origin/Courtroom
Techniques Training Program
|
|
Program Description: This program is designed to enhance the origin and cause investigative skills of the public service fire investigator. The course involves the in-depth study of fire dynamics, fire chemistry, electrical fire causation, burn pattern analysis and fire scene documentation. The course is designed for experienced fire investigators and is highly advanced and technical in nature. Instruction will be presented through classroom lectures and practical exercises. The curriculum involves fire scene processing with an emphasis on the practical applications of scientific knowledge. Students are required to process fire scenes utilizing the "team concept" and prepare technical reports documenting their findings for use in court proceedings as an expert witness. This course does involve a test covering the lecture material, a final practical exercise, and a mock trial designed to prepare the student to testify as an expert witness.
Some of the topics covered include:
Legal aspects of fire investigation
Complex fire scene scenarios - Practical Exercises
Fire dynamics
Prosecutor relations/pre-trial preparation
Computer applications in fire investigation
Expert testimony/preparation of curriculum Vitae/Courtroom
Demeanor
Fire scene indicators
Fire chemistry
Electricity/electrical fire causes
Fire scene documentation
Defense attorney tactics
Length of Training: 9 class days (includes Saturday)
Prerequisites for Attendance: Because of the advanced level of this program, student selection is considered vital to the overall effectiveness of the program. To meet the minimum background prerequisites, applicants must be full-time public service employees whose workloads are focused primarily upon the investigation of arson-related crimes. Additionally, the applicants must be certified fire investigators, or have equivalent experience. In addition to the registration request, all applicants must submit an extensive Curriculum Vitae, which documents their experience in arson investigation, origin and cause determination, and courtroom testimony.
Dates/Locations:
|
Course
|
From
|
To
|
Location
|
|
TBA
|
TBA
|
TBA
|
TBA
|
Complex Arson Investigative Techniques (S&L)
Program Description: This program is designed to enhance the investigative skills of public service officials actively involved in profit-motivated and complex arson investigations. It was developed as a result of ATF’s desire to provide advanced training to the Law Enforcement/Fire Service community. Expertise from the public and private sector of fire investigation was drawn on in order to design a course that has practical applications to the real world and is beneficial to the attendees.
This program will involve instruction on investigative techniques that have been successful in complex arson investigations and will bring the investigator from the fire scene through prosecution of the case. The focus of the course will be on perfecting the complex case and is designed for the experienced/advanced arson investigator. Instruction will be presented through classroom lectures and practical exercises. This course does involve a test covering the lecture material and a final practical exercise.
Some
course topics include:
Legal Aspects of Arson Investigation
Financial Investigative Techniques
Interviewing
Analysis of Insurance Information
Complex Case Management
Analytical Investigative Techniques
Sources of Information/Investigative
Resources
Length of Training: 9 class days
Prerequisites for Attendance: Because of the advanced level of this program, student selection is considered vital to the overall effectiveness of the program. To meet the minimum background prerequisites, the applicant must be a full-time public service employee whose workload is primarily focused upon the investigation of arson-related crimes. Although the program is not structured as an “origin and cause” school, each applicant should have a working knowledge of the fire scene investigative process.
Dates and Location:
|
Course
|
From
|
To
|
Location
|
|
TBA
|
TBA
|
TBA
|
TBA
|
Advanced Explosives Destruction Techniques
|
|
Program Description: Developed to reduce the number of injuries and deaths resulting from the destruction of various explosive materials, this course consists of in-depth discussions and information exchange regarding the destruction of explosive materials. It does not cover render safe or disruption techniques covered in other courses.
Topics covered include:
EPA laws and regulations and their impact on destruction
operations
Explosives classifications
NFPA 921
Incident command
Destruction range
operations
Fireworks and pyrotechnic hazards
How to handle a variety of explosives
range destruction scenarios
Destruction techniques for most types of explosives, including
ammunition
Length of Training: 8 days
Prerequisites for Attendance: Enrollment is limited to bomb technicians who are actively involved in the destruction of explosive materials.
Dates/Locations:
|
Course
|
From
|
To
|
Location
|
|
0601
|
10/10/05
|
10/21/05
|
Ft.
A. P. Hill, VA
|
|
0602
|
11/28/05
|
12/09/05
|
Ft.
A. P. Hill, VA
|
|
0603
|
03/20/06
|
04/21/06
|
Ft.
A. P. Hill, VA
|
|
0604
|
04/24/06
|
05/05/06
|
Ft.
A. P. Hill, VA
|
|
0605
|
07/24/06
|
08/04/06
|
Ft.
A. P. Hill, VA
|
|
|
Program Description: This course is designed to enhance student proficiency in conducting explosives investigations and coordinating investigative activities with other Federal, state, and local agencies. Major subject areas covered include pre-planning, bomb scene processing, and investigative techniques. Students use investigative methods to process a bomb scene. This course was developed by ATF in conjunction with the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators and other explosives experts.
Some of the topics covered include:
Team concept and duties of team members
Role of the pathologist
How to process
the crime scene
Technical resources available
to the investigator
Trends in explosive devices
How to identify and reconstruct
explosives components
How to conduct initial
and final explosives scene evaluations
Length of Training: 9 days
Prerequisites for Attendance: Enrollment is limited to public safety officials (police and fire investigators) involved and experienced in the investigation of bombings and related explosives incidents. Applicants will be selected on the basis of current duties, level and extent of experience, and geographic balance.
Dates/Locations:
|
Course
|
From
|
To
|
Location
|
|
0504
|
09/12/2005
|
09/23/2005
|
Ft.
A. P. Hill, VA
|
Arson for Prosecutors Training Program
|
|
Program Description: This course is designed to strengthen cooperation between investigators and prosecutors and encourage the prosecution of arson cases built primarily on circumstantial evidence. Subjects covered include investigative methods and techniques, cause and origin determinations, and arson strategies and trial tactics. Students will also observe a live burn demonstration designed to highlight the important areas of the cause and origin block of instruction.
Some of the topics covered include:
Unique legal issues related to arson prosecution
Arson resources
Constitutional issues arising in arson prosecutions
How cause and origin determinations
are made
How to take the lead in promoting
fire prevention and prosecuting arson
Financial issues that can play a part in arson cases
Prosecutor and investigator trial tactics
Use of canines in arson investigations
ATF's role in investigating arson cases
Prepare for and conduct direct and cross-examinations
of expert witnesses
Length of Training: 3 class days
Prerequisites for Attendance: Applicants must be full-time Federal, state or local prosecutors
Dates/Locations:
|
Course
|
From
|
To
|
Location
|
|
TBA
|
TBA
|
TBA
|
Glynco,
GA
|
Post Blast Investigative Techniques I
|
|
Program Description: PBIT I is a one-week course designed to provide basic post blast investigation training with an emphasis in scene processing and documentation. The course provides instruction in explosives identification and applications, explosives effects, scene documentation, component recognition and evidence collection .
Some of the topics covered include:
Explosives theory
Improvised explosive
devices
Legal issues
Forensic examinations
How to recognize
bomb blast debris and bomb components
Team concepts
Investigative techniques including
ATF's "100 step" process
for processing a bomb scene
Length of Training: 5 class days
Prerequisites for Attendance: Participants selected for this training should be public safety officials (police and fire investigators) with post blast investigative responsibilities.
Dates/Locations:
|
Course
|
From
|
To
|
Location
|
|
0601
|
11/07/05
|
11/10/05
|
El
Paso, TX
|
|
0602R
|
11/14/05
|
11/17/05
|
San
Antonio, TX
|
|
0603
|
01/09/06
|
01/12/06
|
Virgin
Islands, BVI
|
|
0604
|
02/06/06
|
02/09/06
|
Phoenix,
AZ
|
|
0605
|
02/13/06
|
02/16/06
|
Las
Vegas, NV
|
|
0606
|
06/12/06
|
06/15/06
|
Vancouver,
BC
|
|
0607
|
07/24/06
|
07/27/06
|
San
Diego, CA
|
|
0608
|
07/31/06
|
08/03/06
|
Portland,
OR
|
|
0609
|
09/11/06
|
09/14/06
|
Norfolk,
VA
|
Post Blast Investigative Techniques II
Click here for the State and Local Training Registration Request
Program Description: PBIT I is a one-week course designed to provide basic post blast investigation training with an emphasis in scene processing and documentation. The course provides instruction in explosives identification and applications, explosives effects, scene documentation, component recognition and evidence collection .
Some of the topics covered include:
Explosives theory
Improvised explosive
devices
Legal issues
Forensic examinations
How to recognize
bomb blast debris and bomb components
Team concepts
Investigative techniques including
ATF's "100 step" process
for processing a bomb scene
Length of Training: 5 class days
Prerequisites for Attendance: Participants selected for this training should be public safety officials (police and fire investigators) with post blast investigative responsibilities.
Dates/Locations: