U.S. Bomb Data Center
Encyclopedia
The U.S. Bomb Data Center serves as a nation-wide collection center for information regarding arson
and explosives related events throughout the United States. The Center was established in 1996 as a result of a congressional mandate and utilizes information from various government organizations such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
; the Federal Bureau of Investigation
; and the United States Fire Administration
.
to establish a National Repository of Information concerning arson incidents and the actual and suspected criminal misuse of explosives throughout the United States. The Secretary of the Treasury turned around and decided that the ATF was best suited for this job and handed over the responsibility. From there the ATF created the National Repository of Information, specifically in regards to incidents involving arson and the criminal misuse of explosive materials. The information that is gathered is available for a broad array of uses such as statistical analysis and research, investigative leads, and intelligence research. Historically, this center is staffed by ATF special agents, intelligence research specialists and support personnel who all possess a background in arson and explosives. With the implementation of the Homeland Security Act
of 2002, the responsibilities of the center were transferred from the United States Department of the Treasury
to within the United States Department of Justice
. Two years later in 2004, the United States Attorney General
ordered the consolidation of all DOJ arson and explosives databases into what is now known as the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS).
There is quite a bit of information required to conduct a trace. The eleven pieces of information required are listed below, as per the ATF website:
1.) Requesting agency.
2.) Other Agency (Police, DOJ, etc.) Investigation number or case number
3.) Requesting agent, investigator, or officer.
4.) Field office, agency, or office.
5.) Telephone number.
6.) Date/Time of request.
7.) Manufacturer’s name.
8.) Product name (e.g., Unigel, TNT, C-4, Primacord E-Cord)
9.) Size (e.g., 1-1/8x8″, 1,000-ft. roll, and 5-pound bag).
10.) Date shift code, lot numbers, etc. (Very Important)
11.) Place recovered and Quantity recovered.
Law enforcement personnel that are interested in requesting a trace can go about the process one of a few ways. The first way is by requesting a trace through any ATF field office. Aside from this approach, Federal, State, county, local, or foreign law enforcement agency requests can be sent directly to the U.S. Bomb Data Center by fax (866) 927-4570 or by contacting the staff representative at 1-800-461-8841.
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
and explosives related events throughout the United States. The Center was established in 1996 as a result of a congressional mandate and utilizes information from various government organizations such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
; the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
; and the United States Fire Administration
United States Fire Administration
The United States Fire Administration is a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency which in turn is managed by the Department of Homeland Security located in unincorporated Frederick County, Maryland, near Emmitsburg.-History:...
.
Mission
The mission of the U.S. Bomb Data Center is five-fold, covering a variety of topics within the arson and explosives field. The first part of their mission is to provide statistics on arson and explosives drawing on information from the ATF, FBI and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, they are required to maintain a database on relevant arson and explosives related investigations that can be accessed at the federal, state and local level of law enforcement agencies. The third aspect of their mission entails providing current and timely information regarding arson and explosives issues to law enforcement by gathering and compiling data to illustrate key trends and patterns. The next component of their mission calls for providing a method for law enforcement personnel to increase communication and corroboration on investigations involving arson and explosives. Finally, the U.S. Bomb Data Center is tasked with preparing research material to aid investigators with the identification of explosive material and techniques used to perpetrate arson.History
In 1996, the United States Congress passed legislation ordering the United States Secretary of the TreasuryUnited States Secretary of the Treasury
The Secretary of the Treasury of the United States is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, which is concerned with financial and monetary matters, and, until 2003, also with some issues of national security and defense. This position in the Federal Government of the United...
to establish a National Repository of Information concerning arson incidents and the actual and suspected criminal misuse of explosives throughout the United States. The Secretary of the Treasury turned around and decided that the ATF was best suited for this job and handed over the responsibility. From there the ATF created the National Repository of Information, specifically in regards to incidents involving arson and the criminal misuse of explosive materials. The information that is gathered is available for a broad array of uses such as statistical analysis and research, investigative leads, and intelligence research. Historically, this center is staffed by ATF special agents, intelligence research specialists and support personnel who all possess a background in arson and explosives. With the implementation of the Homeland Security Act
Homeland Security Act
The Homeland Security Act of 2002, , 116 Stat. 2135 was introduced in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and subsequent mailings of anthrax spores. The HSA was cosponsored by 118 members of Congress. It was signed into law by President George W...
of 2002, the responsibilities of the center were transferred from the United States Department of the Treasury
United States Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury is an executive department and the treasury of the United States federal government. It was established by an Act of Congress in 1789 to manage government revenue...
to within the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
. Two years later in 2004, the United States Attorney General
United States Attorney General
The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The attorney general is considered to be the chief lawyer of the U.S. government...
ordered the consolidation of all DOJ arson and explosives databases into what is now known as the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS).
Explosives Tracing
According to the ATF's website, "tracing is the systematic tracking of explosives from manufacturer to purchaser (and/or possessor) for the purpose of aiding law enforcement officials in identifying suspects involved in criminal violations, establishing stolen status, and proving ownership." To trace these explosives, the manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retail dealers of explosive materials work in tandem with the ATF by providing specific information from their records of manufacture, importation, or sale. Furthermore, due to its unique responsibilities, the ATF is the only federal agency authorized access to these records due to its unique licensing authority.There is quite a bit of information required to conduct a trace. The eleven pieces of information required are listed below, as per the ATF website:
1.) Requesting agency.
2.) Other Agency (Police, DOJ, etc.) Investigation number or case number
3.) Requesting agent, investigator, or officer.
4.) Field office, agency, or office.
5.) Telephone number.
6.) Date/Time of request.
7.) Manufacturer’s name.
8.) Product name (e.g., Unigel, TNT, C-4, Primacord E-Cord)
9.) Size (e.g., 1-1/8x8″, 1,000-ft. roll, and 5-pound bag).
10.) Date shift code, lot numbers, etc. (Very Important)
11.) Place recovered and Quantity recovered.
Law enforcement personnel that are interested in requesting a trace can go about the process one of a few ways. The first way is by requesting a trace through any ATF field office. Aside from this approach, Federal, State, county, local, or foreign law enforcement agency requests can be sent directly to the U.S. Bomb Data Center by fax (866) 927-4570 or by contacting the staff representative at 1-800-461-8841.
See also
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesThe Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
- Federal Bureau of InvestigationFederal Bureau of InvestigationThe Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
- United States Fire AdministrationUnited States Fire AdministrationThe United States Fire Administration is a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency which in turn is managed by the Department of Homeland Security located in unincorporated Frederick County, Maryland, near Emmitsburg.-History:...
- National Tracing CenterNational Tracing CenterThe National Tracing Center of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the sole firearms tracing facility in the United States...