NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FEDERAL LAWYERS
How ATF Investigates Bombings and Explosive Devices
|Last Updated on: 21st September 2023, 11:13 pm
How ATF Investigates Bombings and Explosive Devices
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is the main federal agency responsible for looking into bombings and other criminal uses of explosives in the United States. Over the past 40 years, ATF has built up specialized skills, expertise, and resources that make them the go-to experts for investigating these types of crimes across the country.
ATF’s duties include looking into federal offenses involving the unlawful use, manufacture, and possession of firearms, explosives, arson, and alcohol and tobacco trafficking. ATF agents often work together in task forces with state and local law enforcement to investigate bombings and catch those responsible.
ATF’s Role in Investigating Bombings
When a bombing or attempted bombing occurs, ATF sends agents from the local field office to start the investigation. They are the lead federal agency for looking into bombings and arson. ATF has looked into over 25,000 bombings and attempted bombings since 1978!
ATF agents who investigate bombings are highly trained. Many take courses at the National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR) in Huntsville, Alabama. The NCETR offers training for ATF agents and other law enforcement in investigating bombing scenes, identifying explosives, and collecting evidence.
ATF also has the U.S. Bomb Data Center (USBDC), which collects intelligence on bombings across the country. Information from the USBDC helps ATF agents identify trends and stop future attacks.
Securing the Scene
After a bombing, the first job for ATF agents is securing the scene. They work with state and local police to set up a perimeter around the bombing area. This protects evidence from being disturbed and prevents unauthorized people from entering.
ATF agents will also conduct an immediate search of the scene for any secondary explosive devices. Bombers often use multiple bombs to target first responders rushing to help victims. So securing the scene and checking for additional bombs are crucial first steps.
Collecting Evidence
Once the scene is secured, ATF agents start carefully collecting evidence. This includes taking photos and videos to document how the scene looked when they arrived. ATF has special forensic chemists called explosives enforcement officers who collect samples of any remnants of the bomb.
ATF also sends evidence to the ATF National Laboratory Center in Maryland. Scientists there can identify explosive materials used in the bomb. This helps track down where the materials came from or how they were made.
Some key evidence ATF looks for includes:
- Pieces of the device like switches, wires, or timers
- Fragments of the container used to hold the bomb
- Residue from the explosive material
Finding even tiny fragments can help reconstruct the bomb and point to who built it. ATF also carefully documents blood, tissue, or body parts of victims that could contain bomb fragments.
Interviewing Witnesses
ATF agents will interview any witnesses or first responders on the scene. They want to gather statements about what people saw or heard before, during, and after the blast.
Agents will ask witnesses:
- Did you see anyone acting suspiciously before the blast?
- Did you observe any vehicles or people leaving right after?
- Did you notice any strange smells or sounds before the explosion?
Tracking down information from witnesses is crucial to figuring out who set off the bomb.
Studying the Blast Effects
ATF experts study the physical effects of the blast on the surrounding area. This includes looking at the extent of damage to buildings, vehicles, etc. They also examine the bomb crater or fragmentation pattern left by the explosion.
Analyzing blast effects helps determine information like:
- How large the bomb was
- What type of explosive was used
- Whether it was detonated above ground or underground
Studying how the force of the blast traveled can also point back to where the bomb was placed originally.
Gathering Background Information
ATF agents dig into the background of the bombing location and any potential suspects or groups. They look into connections between the suspect(s) and the victims or bombing scene.
Some key information they gather:
- Previous threats against the location or victim(s)
- Any ongoing conflicts or disputes involving the parties
- The suspect’s background, associates, and criminal history
This helps create a profile of the bomber and their motivations. It also identifies any other locations or individuals that could be targeted next.
Tracing Explosive Materials
ATF agents work to trace where the bomber obtained explosive materials. With homemade bombs, agents try to identify where components like pipes, wires, and chemicals came from.
For commercial explosives, ATF can trace identifiers like date codes back to the manufacturer. Their records may indicate who purchased the materials initially. This creates leads to track down buyers and sellers associated with the bombing.
Preserving the Evidence
ATF knows that evidence from the scene will eventually be used in prosecuting the suspect(s). So they are meticulous about maintaining what’s known as the “chain of custody” for evidence.
This means documenting everyone who handles evidence, from the initial ATF agents on scene to the prosecutors. Keeping careful records ensures no one can claim the evidence was compromised or tampered with.
Coordinating With Other Agencies
While ATF takes the lead in explosives investigations, they coordinate with many other federal, state, and local agencies. These include:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- State and local police
- Fire investigators
ATF might bring in bomb squads, K-9 units, or explosives specialists from other agencies. They also share intelligence with agencies like the FBI to identify broader national security threats.
Bringing in Forensic Experts
ATF has in-house forensic scientists at the National Laboratory Center who analyze evidence from bombing scenes. But they sometimes need to consult outside experts as well.
These could include specialists in areas like:
- Metallurgy – examining bomb fragments and containers
- Chemistry – identifying explosive residues
- DNA analysis – examining blood or tissue from victims
Forensic analysis provides crucial data to recreate the bombing and link suspects to the scene.
Prosecuting Suspects
ATF works closely with federal prosecutors to build cases against bombing suspects. Prosecutors determine what charges to file based on laws related to use of explosives, destruction of property, homicide, terrorism, etc.
Some key laws used to prosecute federal bombings cases include:
- 18 U.S. Code § 844 – Penalties for using explosives to damage or destroy property
- 18 U.S. Code § 2332a – Use of weapons of mass destruction
- 18 U.S. Code § 2339A – Providing material support for terrorists
ATF wants to make sure investigators follow all protocols so prosecutors can build the strongest case and win a conviction.
Preventing Future Attacks
A key goal for ATF in any bombing investigation is preventing follow-up attacks and stopping would-be bombers before they can strike. They use intelligence from cases to identify potential threats.
ATF might put out alerts to warn law enforcement about possible bomb-making materials or increase security at likely target locations. In extreme cases, they may arrest suspects they believe are planning attacks to stop tragedies before they occur.
By combining investigative expertise, forensics, and intelligence analysis, ATF works to quickly identify and stop anyone planning to set off dangerous explosives.