The Fire Research Laboratory (FRL) is part of the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), commonly referred to as ATF, is a domestic law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice. Its responsibilities include the investigation and prevention ...
(ATF), an investigative agency within the
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), also known as the Justice Department, is a United States federal executive departments, federal executive department of the U.S. government that oversees the domestic enforcement of Law of the Unite ...
. Located in
Beltsville, Maryland, the FRL is a partnership among law enforcement, fire services, public safety agencies, academia and the private sector that uses the most advanced scientific and technical methods in fire investigation science to serve and protect the public.
The FRL is primarily a crime laboratory supporting public fire investigators. FRL also conducts practical research at the request of fire investigators to improve investigative procedures and knowledge.
Functionality
The Fire Research Laboratory performs the following functions:
* FRL engineers provide engineering support for state, local, and federal fire investigators;
* FRL engineers travel to fire scenes throughout the United States to provide engineering assistance to investigators with on-scene evidence examination, engineering calculations, fire protection system evaluation, and other specialized tasks;
* FRL engineers testify about their analyses in court;
* FRL’s examination laboratories support fire investigations using state-of-the-art instrumentation for ignition source evaluation and flammability properties. The laboratory examination reports are submitted as evidence in court;
*FRL’s fire laboratories are used by investigators to test their theories about how fires were ignited, grew and spread. The laboratory test reports are submitted as evidence in court;
* FRL develops improved investigative and prosecution procedures using scientifically validated methods that integrate the assets of the
ATF and its partners to enhance fire investigation personnel expertise;
* FRL maintains a central repository for fire investigative test data that can be searched by ATF fire investigators;
* FRL is an internationally recognized fire investigation research center for the advancement of knowledge,
technology transfer
Technology transfer (TT), also called transfer of technology (TOT), is the process of transferring (disseminating) technology from the person or organization that owns or holds it to another person or organization, in an attempt to transform invent ...
and case support related to fire cause investigation and fire scene reconstruction.
Advancements in Fire Investigation Science
The FRL conducts practical research that is of interest to Fire Investigators. Through its rigorous scientific studies, the laboratory has been instrumental in debunking myths and challenging misconceptions within the field, leading to more accurate fire scene reconstructions and evidence analysis. The development of new technologies and methodologies under the auspices of the FRL has set new standards in the investigation of fire scenes,
[{{Cite web , title=Comprehensive Guide to Arson Investigation , url=https://www.blazestack.com/ , access-date=2024-03-26 , website=blazestack , language=en] contributing to the resolution of complex fire-related crimes.
See also
*
Arson
Arson is the act of willfully and deliberately setting fire to or charring property. Although the act of arson typically involves buildings, the term can also refer to the intentional burning of other things, such as motor vehicles, watercr ...
*
Fire investigation
Fire 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 explosi ...
*
Fire protection engineering
Fire protection engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to protect people, property, and their environments from the harmful and destructive effects of fire and smoke. It encompasses engineering which focuses on fir ...
*
Fire science
References
External links
Fire Research LaboratoryATF Homepage
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Fire investigation