After the Blast:

Learning
to Find
Clues
By Major Ian J. Townsend

The quiet little town of Bell Buckle, Tennessee,

was first established as a railroad village nestled
among the hills, farmland, and walking-horse
country of Bedford County. Today, this cozy little
town, with a population of less than 400, has
become more recognizable across both the state Special agents view bomb components that
remain after a blast.
and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Com-
mand (USACIDC)—commonly referred to as the
“CID”—for more than the rail stop it once was. In addition to famous home cooking and southern
hospitality, the town is known as the home of the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement
Academy, where for one week every spring, CID agents come together for the annual Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Post Blast Investigative Techniques Course,
which is hosted by the 1000th Military Police Battalion (CID) based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
This year, the commander of the 1000th Military practical exercise tested the students’ knowledge
Police Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Bobby R. about postblast investigation.
Atwell Jr. directed his staff to plan and coordinate the More than twenty-six instructors helped ensure
course and ensure that it was a quality training event. that students gained knowledge about explosives
Special Agent Carl Dewyer (Retired) organized the and blasts throughout the week. These included
instruction by making use of his extensive list of bomb technicians and certified explosive specialists
intra-agency contacts. Special Agent Certified Explo- from the ATF; Metropolitan Nashville Police Depart-
sive Specialist (SACES) Michael Knight of the ATF, ment, Nashville, Tennessee; Tennessee Highway
Nashville Field Division, led the instruction. Patrol; Columbia Police Department, Columbia,
Twenty-two CID agents—all preparing to Tennessee; Chattanooga Police Department, Chatta-
deploy—completed forty hours of practical instruc- nooga, Tennessee; Transportation Security Admini-
tion that focused on explosives, explosive effects, stration; Tennessee State Fire Marshal, Bomb and
improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and blasts. The Arson Investigation Section; and subject matter
valuable instruction also helped prepare agents for experts from the Tennessee Office of Homeland
the investigation of potential postblast crime scenes Security and the Brentwood Police Department,
within the continental United States. The instruction Brentwood, Tennessee.
consisted primarily of briefings conducted by subject The course began with an “Introduction to
matter experts from law enforcement agencies across Explosives,” which was presented by Sergeant
Tennessee. A case study demonstrating the effects of Robin Howell, commander of the Hazard Devices
explosives was the capstone of the classroom instruc- Unit, Columbia Police Department. The instruction
tion. At the completion of the course, a hands-on consisted of an overview of explosives, their basic

MILITARY POLICE 19-08-2 25

components, and their effects. Preblast bomb compo- Students learned the basic characteristics and some of
sition was also addressed. Students learned what the key differences in primary explosives commonly
it takes to make a bomb; that knowledge should used in IEDs. This information should help agents in
enhance their ability to analyze evidence and clues conducting postblast investigations by allowing them
when conducting postblast investigations. Sergeant to more quickly determine the types of explosives
Howell provided key investigative tips and stressed involved. ATF Explosives Enforcement Officer Lee
that attention to detail during an investigation is Conklin then described the capabilities and mission
important in determining the type of explosive that of his organization—a key force multiplier that CID
was used. This detailed information could be the key agents work with daily in theater.
to solving a case.
Once the theater-specific briefings were com-
Next, Special Agent Don Cogan of the Tennessee
pleted, a clear, concise case study was presented by
State Fire Marshal, Bomb and Arson Investigation
SACES Steve Wiley from the ATF. The case study
Section, discussed clandestine laboratory investiga-
compared a high-explosive detonation to a low-
tions and blast injuries and deaths. He explained
that bomb blasts must always be viewed as multi- explosive detonation that occurred two years later
dimensional events—not just as incidents where at the same location. This comparison educated the
“something blew up.” Students were urged to think students on the differences between the two levels of
about the precursors to a bomb blast—specifically, explosions.
about how the bomb might have been constructed. To graduate from the course, students were
They were reminded that detail-oriented searches for required to complete an investigation practical
evidence of key, commercial, bomb-making parts exercise that tested their ability to deal with one of
at postblast sites often result in clues that can help three different vehicle-borne IED blast scenarios.
investigators and crime laboratories determine the Each of the scenarios consisted of reconstructions of
origin of the bomb components. This information blasts that SACES Knight and Mr. Cotter had taken
can then assist in the identification of perpetrators directly from actual bombing events that occurred in
and accomplices. Every student had the opportunity Iraq during the previous year. Evaluations were based
to see, study, and hold commercially purchased bomb
on the ability of the students to collect and analyze
components. These original components were then
evidence and determine what happened in a wide
placed side by side with identical components that
variety of postblast scenarios.
had been through a blast. This allowed students to
compare the two states to gain a better understanding The ATF Post Blast Investigative Techniques
of how components are transformed during a blast. Course was an overall success because it allowed
They could see which parts retained their shapes and for the sharing of ideas among multiple agencies
could, thus, be easily identified following a blast. that work with the CID. Due to their attendance at
They could also see which parts no longer resembled the course, these CID agents are better prepared for
their original form and could be easily overlooked deployment and will be better investigators for the
during an investigation. In conclusion, Special Agent rest of their careers.
Cogan pointed out that the integration of several
If the training described in this article or the
minute details helps establish an overall picture of
opportunity to investigate felony crime in the U.S.
the event that transpired.
Army interests you, you can get more information
Mr. James Cotter of the Brentwood Police about becoming a special agent by visiting your local
Department gave a very informative “Suicide Bomber” CID office or going to <http://www.cid.army.mil/
briefing, which was focused directly at those agents join_CID.html>.
who were preparing to serve in Operation Iraqi
Freedom. Mr. Tim Bernik, who works for the Ten-
nessee Office of Homeland Security and is also a bomb Major Townsend is the executive officer of the
appraisal officer at the Nashville International Airport, 1000th Military Police Battalion (CID), Fort Campbell,
presented very graphic instruction on “Landmines Kentucky. He has served in a variety of military police
and Booby Traps.” Lieutenant David Woosley, positions, from platoon leader to commander of
commander of the Chattanooga Police Department the 545th Military Police Company. This is his first
Bomb Squad, discussed IEDs and their blast effects. assignment with USACIDC.

26 MILITARY POLICE 19-08-2