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This Padlet explores how the FBI's crime lab analyzes terrorist explosive devices. It covers different types of these devices, like Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Vehicle-Borne IEDs (VBIEDs), and suicide bombs. You'll learn about the methods used to examine them, such as forensic and chemical analysis, and how devices are reconstructed. The page also looks at the tools and technologies used, including bomb-sniffing dogs, X-ray machines, and robots. Through real-world examples and case studies, you'll see how these techniques are applied in investigations, and the challenges faced in this critical work. This overview gives a clear picture of how advanced methods help keep us safe from explosive threats.

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The Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) is the government's single repository for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that have been collected or are of interest to the United States government.

Video Transcript

TEDAC is the government's single repository for IEDs that have been collected or are of interest to the United States government.

For instance, it's the bomb library of America.

It basically provides you the one source, the one location that all IEDs of interest to the U.S. government can come and have forensic exploitation to help us identify the bomb-makers, looking at associations and linking bombs together from one incident to another based on the forensic evidence.

We have a lot of experience in identifying IED components, blast damage. It's just like putting a puzzle back together.

So you're starting looking at some of the telltale blast characteristics on the components, understanding what blast damage is.

So you can start saying, well this was in close proximity to the blast, this was indigenous to the scene, it doesn't need to be collected. It's basically a screening or a sorting, if you will.

Identifying those key components from an IED is very, very critical early on.

So one of the benefits of TEDAC is utilizing traditional forensic capabilities of the FBI and law enforcement have used for virtually 100 years, whether it be fingerprint techniques or DNA of recent time, toolmark examinations. For instance, when a tool is used for making an IED it leaves unique marks on those items.

By doing the toolmark examinations we're able to link devices together and show associations. And then obviously if we have a fingerprint we now may be able to identify an individual to multiple devices that we don't have biometrics on. But because of using their trace disciplines such as hairs, fibers, things of that nature, of being able to make the associations from some of those other disciplines that are not identification-based but more pattern-based.

From our perspective, we see the more visibility that we have looking at IEDs from around the world, the better we are to be able to protect the homeland. Because we realize that what's happening overseas eventually could come here to the United States.

We want to get our hands on those IEDs and exploit them to help identify the networks, looking at the types of materials that the bomb-makers are using so we can put the tripwires in place here to basically identify these threats if we have an individual in the country that may be relying on those same instructions that the terrorists overseas have used.

One of our goals is to stay as far left of boom as possible. We don't just respond to a bomb after it occurs. We're trying to identify the bomb-makers and the groups way out in front of the threat from actually happening and disrupting that plot before they even have placed the bomb.

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Inside the Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center | Federal Bureau of Investigation

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The Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) is the government's single repository for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that have been collected or are of interest to the United States government. TEDAC is the government's single repository for IEDs that have been collected or are of interest to the United States government.

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Types of Explosive Devices:

1. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs): These are homemade bombs created using readily available materials. They can vary widely in design and complexity but typically include a container filled with explosives and a triggering mechanism. Common examples are pipe bombs and bottle bombs, often used in attacks due to their ease of construction and concealment.

2. Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs): These devices are placed inside vehicles and designed to cause maximum destruction. The vehicle, which can be a car, truck, or van, is packed with explosives and often equipped with a remote detonator. VBIEDs are used for large-scale attacks, targeting buildings or crowds.

3. Suicide Bombs: These are explosive devices carried by individuals intending to cause harm or death. Typically worn as a vest or belt, the device is detonated manually or remotely by the person carrying it. Suicide bombs are used in attacks to maximize casualties and create terror.

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Methods of Analysis:

1. Forensic Examination: This step involves closely inspecting the explosive device and its parts. Experts look for unique features, the materials used, and how the device was put together. By doing this, they can figure out the device’s design and potentially connect it to specific people or groups.

2. Chemical Analysis: Here, specialists use advanced techniques like gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to study residue from the explosives. This helps identify the chemicals involved and detect traces of explosive substances, giving clues about where the device came from and how it was made.

3. Device Reconstruction: In this process, investigators collect and piece together fragments from the exploded device. This helps them understand how the device was built and how it worked. By reconstructing it, they can uncover details about the triggering mechanism and the type of explosives used, which is essential for learning more about the device and improving safety.

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Bomb-Sniffing Dogs: These dogs are trained to detect explosives using their super-sensitive noses. They can sniff out even tiny traces of explosive materials, which makes them really important for searching places where bombs might be hidden.

X-Ray Machines: X-ray machines let experts look inside explosive devices without setting them off. By creating detailed images of the device’s interior, they can see its components and assess the threat safely.

Robotic Systems: Robots are used to examine and handle explosive devices from a safe distance. They come equipped with cameras and tools to inspect the device and, if needed, can even help disarm it. This technology helps keep people out of harm’s way while dealing with dangerous devices.

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Case Studies and Examples:

1. The Boston Marathon Bombing (2013): After the bombing, forensic experts dug into the devices used in the attack. They analyzed the materials and how the bombs were made, which helped law enforcement identify the suspects and understand how the bombs were constructed.

2. The 2016 Brussels Bombings: Forensic analysis was really important after these attacks. Experts examined the bomb components and residue, which was crucial in tracking down the attackers and uncovering their connections.

3. The 2018 Austin Bombings: In this case, forensic teams studied the IEDs used in a series of bombings in Austin. By looking at the devices, they linked them to a single suspect and learned more about his techniques.

These case studies highlight how examining explosive devices can provide essential information for solving crimes and preventing future incidents.

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Analyzing explosive devices isn’t easy and comes with a lot of challenges:

1. Technical Complexity: Explosive devices can be really complicated, with different types of explosives, triggers, and materials. This makes it hard for experts to figure them out. They need special tools and knowledge to safely deal with these complex devices.

2. Safety Concerns: Working with live explosives is super dangerous. Experts have to be extremely careful to avoid setting off the device by accident, often using remote tools and secure areas to keep everyone safe.

3. Security Issues: The details about explosive devices are sensitive, and there’s a risk that this information could get out and be used by the wrong people, which could help other attackers or mess up investigations. Keeping this info secure is really important.

4. Resource Limitations: Sometimes there aren’t enough resources or people to fully analyze all the devices, especially in big cases. This can slow down investigations and affect how good the forensic work is.

These challenges show how tough it can be to analyze explosive devices and why it’s so important to have good planning, advanced tech, and strong security.