U.S. Bomb Data Center

Welcome to the U.S. Bomb Data Center. The U.S. Bomb Data Center was established by congressional mandate in 1996 as a national collection center for information on arson and explosives related incidents throughout the United States. The U.S. Bomb Data Center databases incorporates information from various sources such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the United States Fire Administration. Information maintained by the National Repository is available for statistical analysis and investigative research by scholars and the law enforcement community.

Mission

The mission of the U.S. Bomb Data Center is to:

  • Provide arson and explosives statistics utilizing all available sources of information to ATF, other Federal, State & Local law enforcement and fire service agencies and the public.
  • Provide intelligence information in support of Arson and Explosives related criminal investigations by maintaining a database that can be queried with data from all Federal and as many State/Local law enforcement and fire service agencies as possible.
  • Provide information regarding current Arson and Explosives issues to Federal, State and local law enforcement and fire service agencies. Compile data necessary to describe trends and patterns related to arson and criminal misuse of explosives.
  • Provide a method to increase/enhance communication among investigators working to solve similar type Arson and Explosives cases and provide access to selected Arson and Explosives reference materials.
  • Provide resource material to assist investigators with the identification of explosive material and techniques used to commit arsons and explosives related crimes

History

  • In 1996, Congress, recognizing ATF’s expertise in the investigation of fire/arson and explosives related incidents, passed legislation directing the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a National Repository of information regarding arson incidents and the actual and suspected criminal misuse of explosives throughout the United States.
  • The Secretary of Treasury tasked ATF with carrying out this congressional mandate. ATF’s established the National Repository of information on incidents involving arson and the criminal misuse of explosives. The information is available for statistical analysis and research, investigative leads, and intelligence research.
  • The U.S. Bomb Data Center incorporates information from various federal law enforcement sources and the U.S. Fire Administration to include the ATF Arson & Explosives Information System (AEXIS).
  • The U.S. Bomb Data Center is available to assist other federal, state, and local law enforcement and fire service investigators with arson and explosives investigations. The National Repository is staffed with ATF special agents, intelligence research specialists, and support personnel who are all experienced in arson and explosives related investigations.
  • The U.S. Bomb Data Center provides statistical information to authorized user groups via a secured web site and help authorized investigators identify case-specific similarities regarding explosive and incendiary device construction, methods of initiation, types of fuels/explosives used, and methods of operation.
  • The Homeland Security Act of 2002 transferred the law enforcement duties and responsibilities of ATF from the Department of the Treasury to within the Department of Justice (DOJ). In 2004, the U.S. Attorney General ordered the consolidation of all DOJ arson & explosives databases into what is now known as the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS).

Contact USBDC

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
U.S. Bomb Data Center
99 New York Avenue, NE, Room 8S 295
Washington, DC 20226 USA
Voice (800) 461-8841

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