Construction
of New ATF Lab Underway

Construction
of a larger and more modern ATF National Laboratory Center continues
to progress, with completion of the new facility scheduled for
December 2002. The new ATF-owned lab is being built on a 35-acre
site in Arfimendale, Maryland. The new lab will be twice the size
of the current ATF laboratory, and will include a unique Fire
Research Laboratory as part of the project. The new laboratory
facility will not only allow ATF to hire additional staff and
expand the Lab's capabilities, it will also provide a more efficient
lab operation, espe- cially in the processing of explosives cases.
In addition, special laboratory space has been designed to specialize
in cases involving incidents in which high explosives have been
used. The new facility will also have a state- of-the art unit
to support ATF's expanding scientific training mission. ATF anticipates

Architect's
Drawing of New ATF Lab

using
the lab to provide state-of-the art training to students who may
come from Federal, State and local government agencies, as well
as persons from ATF-regulated industries.

The problem of explosives thefts continues to be an issue of extreme
importance. In addition to providing a summary of explosives thefts
last quarter, we are exploring ways to provide additional information
to the industry as to the methods used by criminals and safeguards
that might be utilized to prevent or reduce thefts of explosives.
As information becomes available that can be shared with the industry,
we hope to include this data in the Explosives Industry Newsletter.
As always, you are reminded of the need to promptly report thefts
or losses of explosive materials to ATF, as well as to State and
local authorities. The following is a summary of explosives thefts
in the second quarter of this year, compiled by Stephanie Babin,
Intelligence Research Specialist, Arson and Explosives National
Repository Branch.

National
Map, showing locations