ATF Fire Investigation ATF Fire Investigative Resources

ATF Fire Investigation

ATF Fire Investigative Resources Special Agent: Every ATF Special Agent receives basic arson training while attending the ATF National Academy. Basic training is centered on the initial response, interviews, scene processing, legal aspects and follow up investigation. Not all ATF Special Agents are origin and cause experts, but any ATF Special Agent can provide tremendous assistance in coordinating additional resources and assessing the scene.

ATF Fire Investigative Resources ATF Certified Fire Investigator: • Experienced Special Agent who has had extensive training in fire science, fire dynamics, fire scene reconstruction, fire scene documentation, technical report writing, fire origin and cause, expert testimony. • This cadre of specialized ATF Agent/CFIs comprise the only group of fire origin and cause experts in the Federal sector. • Approximately 100 CFIs located throughout the U. S. • Currently 48 CFI candidates in various stages of training

ATF CFI – Cont. • Rigorous 2 -year training program • • Basic and advanced fire science, origin and cause courses. Electrical aspects of fire investigation courses. Courtroom testimony course. Enclosure fire course. 12 – 15 hours graduate level course work – OSU. Graduate certificate in Forensic Science. Published research project. 100 required fire scene exams documented with peer reviewed reports. • Besides ATF Certification, candidates are required to also pass IAAI CFI exam at completion of training/certification.

Research Projects • The projects are selected by the CFI Candidate • Related to fire science for fire investigation • Reviewed by a panel

Hash Oil Explosions CFIC Jeff Osburg • Numerous incidents related to manufacture of hash oil • Violent explosions and fires have occurred • These events pose a threat to first responders and civilians

Butane was flowed into the rooms Butane was ignited using electric matches Fires occurred post explosion

The evidence will remain post explosion and fire PVC with Marijuana and Hash Oil product in Dish pre explosion and fire PVC with Marijuana and Hash Oil product in Dish post explosion and fire

Potential Hazard to First Responders

Ultra High Pressure Fire Suppression Systems (UHP)

UHP research • • Pressurized system that creates smaller water droplet Covers more surface area Absorb more heat More efficient than lower pressure systems CFIC Bill Fulton

UHP • 9 tests were conducted using identical dorm rooms • Three types of nozzles used* • UHP • Fog • Solid Bore *Results showed that using less water with the UHP had the same reduction in room temperatures as traditional methods

UHP - Steam • Use of UHP systems was thought to create a risk of more steam • Mannequins were placed outside door equipped with thermal couples • Temperature increase that occurred during use of UHP was only 2 -8 degree Fahrenheit

Conclusion • • • Testing showed that Ultra High Pressure Fire Suppression Systems can lower room temperatures with less water This is a great benefit to fire investigators who come in after the fire Preservation of fire patterns and evidence needed to determine the origin and cause of the fire

ATF Fire Investigative Resources ATF Accelerant Detection Canines: • Pilot program initiated in 1984 with “Nellie”. Results of program submitted to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. • First operational canine began training with the Connecticut State Police in 1986. • Labrador Retrievers used exclusively. • Dogs are obtained and trained by ATF along with their state and local handlers. Dogs are made available to ATF upon request. • ATF currently has 54 ADC teams across the U. S.

ATF Fire Investigative Resources ATF Auditors: • Can assist in determining if financial incentive was the motive for an arson crime. • Can help determine other crimes such as money laundering, mail/wire fraud, RICO, etc. • Federal statues include asset forfeiture component in arson for profit crimes. Seized Assets are shared with state/local jurisdictions participating in the investigation and prosecution.

ATF Fire Investigative Resources ATF National Laboratory: • Fire and Explosives Chemistry Analysis • Fingerprints/Impression Evidence • Tool marks • DNA • Trace Evidence Analysis (footwear, tire tread, glass fracture analysis etc. ) • Questioned Documents • Expert Testimony Beltsville, MD Atlanta, GA Walnut Creek, CA

ATF Fire Investigative Resources ATF Fire Research Lab: • Staffed by Fire Protection Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers and other fire specialists. • Structures/scenarios can be recreated and burned in the lab for data analysis and hypothesis testing. • Staff can provide on-scene assistance as well as testimony in support of prosecution.

Beltsville, Maryland • FRL encompasses 50, 000 sq. ft. of the 176, 000 sq. ft. laboratory facility • 3 X larger than any other burn cell in the world and the 1 st facility dedicated to forensic fire testing • The large calorimeter is roughly the size of a basketball court and can accommodate a fully constructed 2 -story structure • FRL also includes materials testing lab, electrical engineering lab and classrooms • State of the art video and data recording system

ATF National Response Team

ATF National Response Team • • Team of highly trained fire and explosives experts. Can deploy anywhere in the continental U. S. within 24 hours. 779 NRT activations to date - since 1978. Employs the “Team Concept” in a collaborative effort to conduct a fire or explosion investigation. • State/local partners are embedded into the team throughout the process. • Everything produced is provided and shared with all state/local law enforcement and fire service participants. • International Response Team (IRT) responds internationally at request of U. S. Department of State – 38 IRT activations to date. Peru, El Salvador, Ghana, Honduras, Albania

ATF National Response Team Sample of NRT Responses: • Kansas City MO - Fire Fighter Fatality • Da Vinci Apartments LA - $95 million damage • West Texas Explosion –Fire Fighter Fatality • Civil Unrest in Ferguson MO and Baltimore MD • Oklahoma City Bombing • World Trade Center Terrorist Attacks • Pentagon Terrorist Attack

National Response Team • Certified Fire Investigators • Certified Explosives Specialist/Explosive Enforcement Officers/Bomb Technicians • Accelerant Detection Canines • Fire Protection Engineers • Electrical Engineers • Forensic Chemists • Forensic Mappers • Visual Media Specialist • Interview Coordinators • Safety Officers • Medics

Levels of Response by the NRT • Level 1 – large scale event (Oklahoma City) • Full team responds (type 2) plus additional resources • Level 2 – regular call out • Full team – 25 people (including, chemist, EE, FPE, etc) • Level 3 – smaller response, IRT (team based on size of scene) • Partial team – 15 people (includes EE, FPE) • Level 4 – small scale response (there is not a large scene to work) • Only subject matter experts (mapping, orator, profilers and interview teams.

Annapolis Callout • Residential Fire • • • January 19, 2015 6 dead (ages 63 -7) $15 Million loss 16, 000 Square Feet Anne Arundel County requested ATF’s assistance CFI Rick Hankins

Annapolis Callout • NRT responded 15 ft Christmas tree & extra furniture were in great room • Area of Origin was determined • Area sifted found remains of a damaged outlet • Cause was believed to be a failed outlet near a Christmas Tree

Annapolis Callout • Testing was done at the FRL • Tree watered weekly = 20 megawatts of energy released in under 40 seconds of tree ignition • Tree watered daily = Fire under tree finally ignited only ½ of tree over 7 minutes into test • The heat release rate of the trees reached peaks of 15 -17 megawatts* *An upholstered couch will have an approx HRR of 3 megawatts

Annapolis Callout • The work of the NRT and the FRL • Provided new information about Christmas tree safety • Gave the family an exact cause of the fire

ATF Fire/Arson Training National Center for Explosives Training and Research • ATF Advanced Fire and Arson Training Complex

ATF Fire/Arson Training ATF Advanced Fire and Arson Training Complex • Construction to be complete June 2016 • 3 fully modular multi-room single story burn structures • 2 fully modular multi- room two story burn structures • 2 large flashover fire demonstration cells • Course to be offered include: • Advanced Origin and Cause/Courtroom Techniques – State/local • Arson for Prosecutors • Advanced Arson/Explosives for ATF Special Agents • Additional courses offered in partnership with IAAI

ATF Fire and Arson Training – Cont. • Field deliveries of Advanced Arson for Prosecutors course • www. interfire. org - Provides online interactive tutorials on critical fire and arson investigation procedures. Inter. Fire VR is a virtual reality fire investigation program. • CFITrainer. net – Online training covering current topics, investigative procedures, fire dynamics, electrical investigations and more. Podcasts are released monthly. • National Fire Academy – Basic and Advanced Fire Investigations • National Fire Academy – Electrical Aspects of Fire Investigation

Contact Information Don Robinson Special Agent in Charge NCETR 3750 Corporal Road Redstone Arsenal Huntsville, Alabama 35898 Donald. Robinson@atf. gov (256) 261 -7500