ATF occasionally issues publications to inform the industries it regulates and the general public about the laws and regulations administered and enforced by ATF. These include guidebooks, newsletters, brochures, studies, and reports.
| Document type | Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratories | Laboratory Services - Forensic Biology - Mar. 2025
These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | Laboratory Services - Explosives - June 2024
These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | Laboratory Services - Materials (Trace Evidence) - June 2024
These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | Laboratory Services - Fire Research Laboratory - August 2024
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. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | Laboratory Services - Impression Evidence - March 2025
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. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) Program Information - 2025-2026
Program information for the National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) for 2025-2026. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Laboratories | Laboratories Services - Triage Unit
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. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | Laboratories Services - Fire Debris
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. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | 2024 - Fire Research Laboratory Technical Bulletin - Best Practices for the Safe Handling of Lithium Cells and Batteries
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. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | 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
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. Published/Revised: |
Workforce and Mission |
| Laboratories | Arc Melting in Electrical Receptacles Research Photographs
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. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | Gas Flow and Resulting Flame from Different Size Holes in CSST
Seventy-five experiments were conducted to determine the flow rate of gas emanating from different size holes in corrugated stainless-steel tubing (CSST) and to determine if the resulting flame was stable or if an obstruction was required near the hole to prevent the flame from blowing off and self-extinguishing. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Laboratories | Evaluation of Ignitability of Carpet Using Multiple Ignition Devices
Thirty-four (34) experiments were conducted to investigate the ignitability of carpet using five different ignition methods. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Laboratories | Evaluation of Ignitability of Carpet Using Methenamine Tablets
Five (5) experiments were conducted to investigate the ignitability of carpet using a methenamine pill as the ignition source. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Laboratories | Contribution of Paint to Fire Size
Eight experiments were conducted to investigate the contribution of paint to fire size in a wall corner configuration. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Laboratories | Contribution of Paint to Fire Size
Two experiments were conducted to investigate the contribution of oil-based paint to fire size in a two-story structure. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Laboratories | Cartridge Casings Exposed to Fire
One experiment was conducted to expose 48 cartridge casings to a fire in a single room compartment. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Laboratories | Smoke/CO Alarm Activation on Lower Floor With Smoldering/Flaming Combustion Occurring on Upper Floor
Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms located on the bottom floor of a two-story structure with respect to combustion on the upper floor. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Laboratories | Temperature Characterization of a DeLonghi Type 3107 Oil-Filled Radiant Heater
Three (3) experiments were conducted to characterize the approximate surface temperatures produced by a DeLonghi Type 3107 Oil-Filled Heater. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Laboratories | Halogen Lamp Testing
A series of nine experiments were conducted to observe and characterize the operation temperatures and heat flux of a halogen torchiere luminaire. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Laboratories | Iron Temperature
One experiment was conducted to characterize the surface temperature of an electric iron operating at its highest setting. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Laboratories | Laboratory Services - Questioned Documents - November 2025
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. These documents are current as of November 3, 2025. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | Laboratory Services - Firearms and Toolmarks - November 2025
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.These documents are current as of November 4, 2025. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | Laboratories Services - Quality Documents - January 2026
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.These documents are current as of January 7, 2026. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | Laboratories Services - Latent Prints - January 2026
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.These documents are current as of January 7, 2026. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
