The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is the Federal agency primarily responsible for administering and enforcing the criminal and regulatory provisions of the Federal laws pertaining to destructive devices (bombs), explosives, and arson. Over nearly 40 years, ATF has developed scientifically proven investigative capabilities, expertise, and resources that have positioned ATF as the Nation’s primary source for explosives and fire investigative knowledge and assistance.
Certified explosives specialists (CES) are ATF’s primary resource in explosives-related matters. CESs are special agents who are highly trained in explosives investigations, the disposal of explosive materials, and all facets of the commercial explosives industry.
ATF’s profilers offer their services to any bona fide law enforcement or fire service agency in the United States and the world. The profilers also work on research projects at the NCAVC in order to publish articles designed to educate law enforcement. These services include crime, statement, and threat analysis; offender and geographic profiling; investigative, prosecution, interviewing, and media strategies; and reviewing equivocal death and cold cases.
Since 1986, ATF has had special agent/criminal profilers assigned to the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) in Quantico, Virginia. The NCAVC is a law enforcement-oriented, behavioral science and resource center that offers investigative support, research, and training to law enforcement agencies throughout the world.
A behavioral profiler assists ATF in bombing, arson, and other violent crime investigations by analyzing and interpreting crime scene behavior and victim/witness/suspect statements, as well as assessing the personalities and risk levels of known offenders.
A geographic profiler uses an investigative methodology that analyzes the locations of connected crimes in an attempt to pinpoint the most probable area where an offender would live. ATF is the only Federal agency to have a geographic profiler.
ATF profilers undergo an intensive two-year training program in behavioral science principles, crime scene analysis and interpretation, forensic science, and pathology. Upon completion of their training, the International Criminal Investigative Analysis Fellowship certifies the profilers. The profilers continue to enhance their own skills and specialties though a continuing education program. ATF profilers provide training and presentations to thousands of police and fire personnel each year in relation to behavioral and geographic profiling techniques.
Some notable cases involving ATF profilers include the 2002 bombing of a power plant during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City; the 2002 Washington, D.C., sniper attacks; the 9/11 terrorist attacks; and the Washington, D.C., serial arsonist.
ATF’s Explosives Enforcement Officers (EEOs) offer unequaled technical expertise in the bomb disposal and explosives fields. They are ATF’s primary resource when it comes to technical assistance and support in explosives matters.
ATF studies emerging technologies for identifying and detecting explosives and explosives effects, behavior, and devices.
The mission of the National Explosives Task Force (NETF) is to centrally coordinate the provision of explosives expertise to investigations and to ensure the coordination of a “whole of Government” effort to deter, prevent, detect, protect against, and respond to the threat posed by terrorist- or criminally-inspired attacks using explosives in the United States or against U.S. interests abroad. The NETF is the central communication and coordination point for ATF and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), at the headquarters level, for explosives response coordination and intelligence matters.
The NETF supports the “whole of Government” approach to address gaps in the coordination and consolidation of efforts in the response to explosives incidents. The program ensures the open and transparent sharing of information between ATF and the FBI and also ensures that DOJ speaks with one voice to our federal partners and international, state and local agencies.
The NETF is also instrumental in the intelligence gathering functions of both agencies as they relate to the exploitation of information from improvised explosives devices. The NETF is staffed with intelligence specialists, investigators and bomb technicians.
The NETF also works with the National Security Staff (NSS) and the Joint Program Office (JPO) to align ATF’s mission, resources, and expertise with the National Strategy to Counter Improvised Explosives Devices (C-IED).
