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Laboratory Publications and Resources

The below documents are management system documents utilized by ATF 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.
 
ATF management system documents are reviewed annually and revised as needed. For specific requests, submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

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Name and Description Type
2021 - Fire Research Laboratory Technical Bulletin - Arc Melting on Cables Protected by Arc Fault Circuit Interrupting, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupting, and Thermal Magnetic Circuit Breakers [PDF - 3.94 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.

Technical Bulletin
2024 - Fire Research Laboratory Technical Bulletin - Best Practices for the Safe Handling of Lithium Cells and Batteries [PDF - 844.38 KB]

The purpose of this Technical Bulletin is to provide guidance for the safe handling of lithium cells and batteries (lithium-ion and lithium metal). Guidance on the safe handling of battery-powered tools and equipment is also offered.

Technical Bulletin
Arc Melting in Electrical Receptacles Research Photographs [PDF - 32.75 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.

Technical Bulletin
Laboratories Services - Fire Debris [PDF - 578.98 KB]

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. Sensitive or copyrighted information has been redacted. These documents are current as of Oct. 25, 2024.

Fire Debris
Laboratories Services - Latent Prints [PDF - 472.6 KB]

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. These documents are current as of Dec. 20, 2024. 

Latent Prints
Laboratories Services - Quality Documents [PDF - 791.67 KB]

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. These documents are current as of Dec. 20, 2024. 

Quality Manuals
Laboratories Services - Triage Unit [PDF - 224.24 KB]

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. These documents are current as of Feb. 5, 2025.

Triage Unit
Laboratory Services - Explosives - June 2024 [PDF - 475.31 KB]

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

Explosives
Laboratory Services - Fire Research Laboratory - August 2024 [PDF - 8.51 MB]

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. These documents are current as of Aug. 22, 2024. They are provided for informational purposes only.  

Engineering
Laboratory Services - Firearms and Toolmarks - October 2024 [PDF - 696.14 KB]
These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. These documents are current as of October 25, 2024. 
Firearms and Toolmarks
Laboratory Services - Forensic Biology - Mar. 2025 [PDF - 11.97 MB]

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

Forensic Biology
Laboratory Services - Impression Evidence - March 2025 [PDF - 491.77 KB]

These are management system documents utilized by ATF 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 product names does not imply endorsement by ATF Laboratories.

Impression Evidence
Last Updated: January 27, 2026

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