The U.S. Bomb Data Center serves as a nationwide collection center for information regarding

arson Arson is the crime of willfully and deliberately setting fire to or charring property. Although the act of arson typically involves buildings, the term can also refer to the intentional burning of other things, such as motor vehicles, wat ...

and explosives related events throughout the United States.ATF Online - Explosives - Groups - U.S. Bomb Data Center
/ref> 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), commonly referred to as the ATF, is a domestic law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice. Its responsibilities include the investigation and prevent ...

; the

Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, ...

; and the

United States Fire Administration The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) located in unincorporated Frederick County, Maryland, near Emmitsburg. Per the official website, "the mission of the U.S. Fire Administra ...

.ATF Online - Explosives - Groups - U.S. Bomb Data Center - Frequently Asked Questions
/ref>

Mission

The mission of the Center covers a variety of topics, specifically: * Provide statistics on arson and explosives, from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies data. * Maintain a database on arson and explosives investigations accessible to federal, state and local law enforcement. * Compile data on trends and patterns. * Assist with communication and corroboration on arson and explosives investigations. * Preparing material to aid 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 Treasury The United States secretary of the treasury is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, and is the chief financial officer of the federal government of the United States. The secretary of the treasury serves as the principal a ...

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 The Homeland Security Act (HSA) of 2002, () 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. The act passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of ...

of 2002, the responsibilities of the center were transferred from the

United States Department of the Treasury The Department of the Treasury (USDT) is the national treasury and finance department of the federal government of the United States, where it serves as an executive department. The department oversees the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and t ...

to within the

United States Department of Justice The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), also known as the Justice Department, is a federal executive department of the United States government tasked with the enforcement of federal law and administration of justice in the United State ...

. Two years later in 2004, the

United States Attorney General The United States attorney general (AG) is the head of the United States Department of Justice, and is the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government of the United States. The attorney general serves as the principal advisor to the p ...

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."ATF Online - Explosives - Groups - U.S. Bomb Data Center - National Explosives Tracing Center
/ref> 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.

References

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Mission

History

Explosives Tracing

See also

References