ATF Fire Research Laboratory
Encyclopedia
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
. Located in Beltsville, Maryland
, the FRL is an innovative 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 to make the ATF and its partners leaders in fire investigation science to serve and protect the public.
The Fire Research Laboratory does the following:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
(ATF), an investigative agency within the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
. Located in Beltsville, Maryland
Beltsville, Maryland
Beltsville is a census-designated place in northern Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 15,691 at the 2000 census. Beltsville includes the unincorporated community of Vansville.-Geography:...
, the FRL is an innovative 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 to make the ATF and its partners leaders in fire investigation science to serve and protect the public.
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 fireFireFire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
and arsonArsonArson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
investigations and the resolution of fire related crimes; - Develops improved investigative and prosecution procedures using scientifically validated methods that integrate the assets of the ATFBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesThe Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
and its partners to enhance fire investigation personnel expertise; - Establishes 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 transferTechnology transferTechnology Transfer, also called Transfer of Technology and Technology Commercialisation, is the process of skill transferring, knowledge, technologies, methods of manufacturing, samples of manufacturing and facilities among governments or universities and other institutions to ensure that...
and case support related to fire cause investigation and fire scene reconstruction.
See also
- ArsonArsonArson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
- Fire investigationFire investigationFire 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 engineeringFire protection engineeringFire Protection Engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to protect people and their environments from the destructive effects of fire and smoke....
- Fire science