The Fire Research Laboratory (FRL) is part of the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), an investigative agency 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 Stat ...
.
[{{Cite web, url=https://www.atf.gov/arson/atf-fire-research-laboratory, title=ATF Fire Research Laboratory {{! Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, website=www.atf.gov, language=en, access-date=2018-04-18] Located in
Beltsville, Maryland
Beltsville is a census-designated place (CDP) in northern Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The community was named for Truman Belt, a local landowner. The 2020 census counted 20,133 residents. Beltsville includes the unincorporated ...
, the FRL is a partnership among law enforcement, fire services, public safety agencies, academia and the private sector that uses the most advanced scientific, technical, educational, and training methods in fire investigation science to serve and protect the public.
Functionality
The Fire Research Laboratory does the following:
* Conducts scientific research that validates fire scene indicators and improves fire scene reconstruction and fire evidence analysis;
* Supports
fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction Product (chemistry), products.
At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition ...
and
arson investigations and the resolution of fire related crimes;
* Develops improved investigative and prosecution procedures using scientifically validated methods that integrate the assets of the
ATF
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 preven ...
and its partners to enhance fire investigation personnel expertise;
* Maintains a central repository for fire investigative research data that will be disseminated throughout the fire investigation community;
* Develops an internationally recognized research and education center for the advancement of knowledge,
technology transfer
Technology transfer (TT), also called transfer of technology (TOT), is the process of transferring (disseminating) technology from the person or organization that owns or holds it to another person or organization, in an attempt to transform invent ...
and case support related to fire cause investigation and fire scene reconstruction.
See also
*
Arson
*
Fire investigation
Fire investigation, sometimes referred to as origin and cause investigation, is the analysis of fire-related incidents. After firefighters extinguish a fire, an investigation is launched to determine the origin and cause of the fire or explosion ...
*
Fire protection engineering
Fire protection engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to protect people, property, and their environments from the harmful and destructive effects of fire and smoke. It encompasses engineering which focuses on fire ...
*
Fire science
References
External links
Fire Research LaboratoryATF Homepage
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Fire investigation