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ATF’s National Response Teams for Arson Investigations
|Last Updated on: 21st September 2023, 11:03 pm
ATF’s National Response Teams for Arson Investigations
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has specialized teams called National Response Teams that help investigate major arson crimes across the country. These teams have a really interesting history and play an important role in solving big arson cases.
What are ATF’s National Response Teams?
ATF launched the first National Response Teams (NRTs) in 1978 to be like, mobile and fast-acting teams that look into huge fires, explosions, and arsons [1]. There are two types:
- National Response Team – investigates big arson and explosion scenes
- National Response Team – International (NRTI) – investigates arson and bombings directed at U.S. interests outside the country
The NRTs work with local and state partners in reconstructing the scene, finding where the fire started, collecting evidence, and determining if it was arson. Having these specialized teams allows ATF to respond quickly to help local agencies with big investigations.
History of ATF’s Arson Investigation
ATF has been looking into arson crimes since before it became its own agency in 1972. From 1968-1971, ATF was part of the Internal Revenue Service as the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Division. They worked their first arson-related case (called a fire-bombing back then) in Mobile, Alabama in 1969 [3].
By 1978, ATF saw that arson was becoming a huge problem, so they created the first two National Response Teams. The idea was to have well-trained specialists who could help investigate major arsons and bombings anywhere in the U.S. [3].
How ATF’s National Response Teams Operate
For really big fires, ATF’s National Response Teams come to the scene to help local agencies. They assist with processing the area, gathering evidence, figuring out where the fire started and how, and deciding if it was arson [3].
The NRTs include special agents who are experienced fire and explosives investigators. They have a lot of training in working fire and explosives scenes [4].
Some of the things NRT members do are [4]:
- Examine fire and explosion scenes
- Collect evidence from the scene
- Interview witnesses
- Take photos and diagrams
- Determine how the fire started
- Figure out if it was arson
Having these specialized teams allows ATF to provide expertise and help to local agencies investigating big arson cases.
Recent Cases Where NRTs Assisted
Here are a couple recent examples where ATF’s National Response Teams came to help with large fire investigations:
- In August 2022, the NRT went to investigate a huge fire at Buffington Farms in Ohio [5].
- In July 2022, the NRT assisted with investigating a large fire in Sterling, Illinois [6].
Having these specialized teams available allows ATF to provide expertise and support to local agencies dealing with major arson cases.
The Importance of ATF’s Arson Investigation
Arson causes huge damage and losses every year. Having teams like ATF’s National Response Teams with specialized training helps make sure these difficult arson cases get thoroughly investigated. Their expertise aids local agencies and helps bring criminals to justice.