ATF trains law enforcement and military in advanced post-blast investigation

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT) – On Tuesday morning, an educational drill commenced featuring multiple simulated blazes as ATF officials set up scenarios for participants to examine.

The course participants included individuals from both law enforcement and military backgrounds who came from across the nation to gain knowledge on analyzing scenes and constructing cases following disasters.

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The ATF prepared the location at Redstone Arsenal for training purposes, transforming it into a simulated marketplace complete with fake vendors, observers, and emergency personnel. Once everything was arranged, the participants revisited and analyzed the locations of the explosions.

The description provided encompasses care from beginning to end," stated Huntsville Police Officer William Curl. "It starts at the initial stage, continues through the intermediate phase, and concludes ultimately involving prosecutors, laboratory work, and all related aspects.

Like all the participants in the course, Curl has previously undergone training with the ATF. Although he has investigated sites of explosions before, this exercise aims to impart new abilities.

During the week, they'll handle additional bomb-related scenarios that will take place at Redstone for training purposes," explained Brian Taylor, the ATF Post Blast Investigative Techniques Course Program Manager. "After completing these exercises, they'll be capable of building a case and even presenting it to a grand jury.

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The course lasts for two weeks, and once it ends, participants are meant to take the skills they acquire back to their organizations.

"That’s certainly going to boost confidence regarding how everything will function since I can use this at our crime scene with the bomb squad," Curl stated.

Curl mentioned that Huntsville’s bomb squad functions as a regional unit; therefore, the training could extend beyond the boundaries of the city’s authority.

The ATF holds periodic training, but this advanced class usually only takes place once a year.

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