Forensic Publications

Scientist preparing a slide on a microscope. The below documents are management system documents utilized by ATF Forensic Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. Sensitive or copyrighted information has been redacted. The documents are used in ATF Laboratories and not published with the intent of setting a policy or analysis standard for other laboratories. The inclusion of equipment/software manufacturer names does not imply endorsement by ATF Laboratories.

The documents were current as of February 28, 2018. ATF management system documents are reviewed annually and revised as needed. For specific requests, submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

Name Description Type
Arc Mapping as a Tool for Fire Investigations.pdf (659.73 KB)

The purpose of this Technical Bulletin is to address statements that are contained in Arc Mapping: New Science or New Myth?

Engineering
Arc Melting in Electrical Receptacles Research Photographs (ATFFRL-TB-190001) (32.74 MB)

The purpose of this Technical Bulletin is to provide a selection of photographs of various receptacle failures as a reference for fire investigators and engineers.

Engineering
Arc Melting on Cables Protected by AFCI GFCI and TM Circuit Breakers (ATFFRL-TB-210001) (23.4 MB)

The purpose of this Technical Bulletin is to provide the photographs and waveforms produced during the testing and research that examined the relationship between the formation of arc melting and the type of circuit protection device used on the circuit.

Engineering
ATF-LS Explosives (762.65 KB)

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only.

Explosives
ATF-LS Fire Debris (660.36 KB)

ATF Laboratory Services Fire Debris

Fire Debris
ATF-LS Firearms and Toolmarks (648.94 KB)
ATF Laboratory Services Firearms and Toolmarks
Firearm and Toolmark
ATF-LS Latent Prints (476.77 KB)

ATF Laboratory Services Latent Prints

Latent Prints
ATF-LS Quality Documents (3.96 MB)

ATF Laboratory Services Quality Documents

Quality Manuals
ATF-LS Questioned Documents (521.87 KB)

ATF Laboratory Services Questioned Documents

Questioned Documents
ATF-LS Triage Unit (265.65 KB)

ATF Laboratory Services Triage Unit

Triage Unit
ATF-LS-FB01 Standard Approach to Forensic Biology Examination (335.19 KB)
This protocol describes the general approach to Forensic Biology examinations. The protocol is not meant to encompass all possible circumstances that may be encountered in forensic casework.
Forensic Biology
ATF-LS-FB02 Alternate Light Source (252.1 KB)
An Alternate Light Source (ALS) utilizes specific wavelengths of light to help locate body fluid stains on clothing or other items of evidence.
Forensic Biology
ATF-LS-FB05 Phenolphthalein Test for Blood (283.94 KB)
This protocol is to be used when examining an exhibit of evidence for the presence of blood and is only a presumptive test.
Forensic Biology
ATF-LS-FB08 General QIAamp Micro DNA Extraction (330.63 KB)
This protocol can be used to extract and purify DNA from reference samples and evidence samples containing biological material.
Forensic Biology
ATF-LS-FB09 General QIAamp Investigator DNA Extraction (339.33 KB)
This protocol is to be used to extract and purify DNA from reference samples and samples of evidence containing biological material.
Forensic Biology
ATF-LS-FB11 Quantifiler (1.75 MB)
This protocol is to be used to estimate the concentration of DNA in an extract.
Forensic Biology
ATF-LS-FB12 30 kD Microcon® DNA Concentration / Purification (275.83 KB)
This protocol is used to concentrate and/or further purify DNA extracts.
Forensic Biology
ATF-LS-FB14 Identifiler (335.13 KB)
This protocol is to be used with the Applied Biosystems (AB) AmpFlSTR™ Identifiler™ PCR Amplification Kit to amplify DNA extracted from known reference samples or biological material found on items of evidence.
Forensic Biology
ATF-LS-FB15 Applied Biosystems™ 3130 Genetic Analyzer (606.6 KB)
This protocol is used to analyze the amplified DNA product on the Applied Biosystems™ (AB) 3130 Genetic Analyzer.
Forensic Biology
ATF-LS-FB16 Applied Biosystems GeneMapper ID (333.17 KB)
This protocol is used to analyze the raw data generated by the Applied Biosystems™ (AB) 3130 Genetic Analyzer.
Forensic Biology
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