HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The National Center for Explosives Training and Research, located on Redstone Arsenal, recently hosted 21 members of the Mexican Federal Police, Federal Attorney General’s Office, State Police, and Mexican Military Personnel for an intensive Post Blast Investigative Techniques course. This international training initiative equips foreign law enforcement and foreign military partners with advanced skills to systematically investigate explosive scenes amid a rise in bombing incidents.
This bilateral training comes at a critical time, as law enforcement and military agencies in Mexico increasingly encounter high explosives related incidents and grenade attacks.
"Violent acts involving explosives are on the rise across Mexico," said Brice McCracken, Special Agent in Charge of NCETR. "Our ATF special agents have specialized resources and skills ready to help train first responders and law enforcement personnel, so they gain the expertise they need to combat dangerous criminals."
The comprehensive curriculum is provided through classroom instruction, live explosives demonstrations, and hands-on scenario-based field exercises. Throughout the course, international students mastered critical protocols for explosives identification, blast analysis, Improvised Explosive Device component recognition, and forensic evidence collection. By simulating complex post-blast crime scenes, the program ensures first responders can effectively process evidence under realistic field conditions.
The collaboration underscores the vital importance of international partnerships in disrupting transnational criminal networks and combating explosive-related crimes. While headquartered at the premier NCETR facility in Alabama, the ATF regularly deploys these specialized investigative training courses to various strategic locations throughout the United States to support domestic and international partners.
To learn more about NCETR and the training offered, visit the NCETR webpage.
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ATF protects American communities from violent crime driven by the illegal use of firearms, explosives, and acts of arson. Through crime gun intelligence, forensic analysis, and relentless investigation, we identify and arrest violent offenders and gang members, dismantle trafficking networks, and sever the supply chains arming cartels, prohibited persons, and terrorist organizations. We defend the rights of law-abiding citizens by safeguarding lawful commerce and upholding the Constitution of the United States. Learn more about what ATF is doing to reduce violent crime in your community by following us on X @ATFHQ, Instagram @ATFHQ, LinkedIn @ATF, and Facebook @HQATF, or on the web at www.atf.gov.
