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Laboratory Info

History Fire Research Lab Message Mission Organization Services Staffing What's New

Services

Alcohol

Beverage and nonbeverage alcohol products are analyzed to ensure that marketed products are in compliance with federal regulations. Beverage alcohol products include distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages. Nonbeverage alcohol products include food, flavorings, medicine, cosmetics, solvents and fuels.

Tobacco

Chemical and physical analyses are performed to classify products for tax purposes. For example, cigarettes are taxed at a higher rate than cigars and snuff is taxed at a higher rate than chewing tobacco.

Arson

Fire debris collected at suspected arson crime scenes is examined to identify accelerants, incendiaries, and incendiary device components. Identification of an accelerant provides evidence that the crime of arson was committed.

Explosives

Evidence collected at explosive scenes is examined to identify the explosives used and to identify blasting caps, leg wires, fuses, timing mechanisms, energy sources, firing train, radio control components, igniters, containers, wire, tapes, and other component parts that may have been used to make the bomb.

Trace Evidence Comparisons

Microscopic, chemical, physical, and instrumental comparisons of a wide variety of physical evidence collected at crime scenes are performed. Such materials include tapes, wires, glass, metals, plastics, adhesives, hair, paint, fibers, and paper. These examinations are to identify materials that may associate a suspect with the crime.

Questioned Document Examination

Document examinations include the identification of handwriting, handprinting, mechanical impressions, such as typewriters, rubber stamps, etc., and counterfeit cigarette tax stamps; the detection of altered and forged documents; the restoration and/or decipherment of eradicated, obliterated and charred documents; and the determination and decipherment’s of indented writings.

Fingerprint Examination

Most evidence received in the forensic laboratory is examined for the presence of identifiable latent prints. Evidence examined includes documents, component parts of bombs and incendiary devices, and firearms. Techniques used include: dye staining, super glue fuming, chemical developers, laser, and traditional powder techniques.

Firearm and Toolmark Examination

Examiners perform projectile comparison (ballistics), serial number restoration, weapon operability, bullet trajectory determinations, crime scene reconstruction of shooting incidents, and distance and shot pattern determinations. Toolmark examinations generally relate to bombing and arson crimes, and include comparisons of fracture matches and impressions caused by cutting, drilling, gripping and prying tools.

Fire Research Laboratory

ATF has established a Fire Research Laboratory within Laboratory Services to provide forensic fire scene investigation case support on behalf of ATF Certified Fire Investigators (CFIs). The FRL will also undertake research, education and training for prosecutors and the fire investigation community at-large. The FRL's scientific and engineering staff will conduct scientific research directed at the determination of fire origin and cause, fire growth and spread and other fire phenomena that validates fire scene indicators and improves fire evidence analysis. The laboratory facilities will include:

Four calorimetry hoods designed to allow a wide range of measurements

Large test cells in which multiple room scenarios, vehicle burns and multi-level structure burns can be conducted

Small-scale test areas

Bench-scale testing equipment

Laboratory space for electrical testing

Observation space for visitors and classroom/training space for up to 50 people

The Fire Research Laboratory (FRL) will also provide training to CFIs and other state and local fire investigators, and will serve as a repository for fire related test data. The laboratory will provide a controlled environment where fire scientists, engineers and researchers can evaluate fire investigation theories and fire cause determination scenarios can be reconstructed and tested.

Automated Ballistic Identification

The laboratory supports ATF’s firearms enforcement programs. Electronic images of bullets and cartridge cases, recovered from crime scenes and suspect weapons are entered into a computer-based system, called IBIS, for searching and comparison against other bullets and cartridge cases. ATF and the Laboratory have been instrumental in the implementation of this exciting new technology in crime laboratories throughout the world.

National Response Team

ATF has four national response teams (NRT) that respond to major bombing and fire scenes nationally and internationally. An NRT consists of highly trained criminal investigators, forensic chemists, and explosive technology experts. The NRT responds to the scene within 24 hours. The evidence is collected and preliminary laboratory examination is completed before the team leaves the scene.

Training

Chemists and forensic examiners routinely provide instruction to ATF special agents, inspectors, auditors and other federal, state and local law enforcement personnel. Laboratory staff teaches at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA and participates in both ATF-sponsored and industry-sponsored seminars as well as technical and scientific symposia across the country.

Research

Laboratory Services scientists develop new analytical methods and are recognized leaders in the analysis of alcohol and tobacco products and the examination of fire and explosion debris. The staff regularly contributes to leading scientific journals and professional societies on a national and international level.

Customer Service

Laboratory Services is committed to providing the best service and support to its customers. Our strategic plan, Lab-2002, outlines this commitment to meeting customer requirements; measuring performance and customer satisfaction; and seeking continuous improvement.