SOUTH DENNIS – The Massachusetts State Police State Police Bomb Squad demonstrated a variety of explosives to members of the Massachusetts chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) in a sand pit in South Dennis on Thursday morning. They weren’t just in it for the pyrotechnics, though. (Photo at top shows the “Wall of Flame.”)
In addition to witnessing the detonation of commercial and improvised explosive devices, the IAAI members learned about the identification, collection and preservation of explosive evidence.
According to a Bomb Squad member, the unit responded to 1,150 calls in 2015 and is on pace to hit 1,600 in 2016. The recent spate of automated robocall bomb threats has driven up the numbers.
The explosives demonstration was just one part of the IAAI’s three-day seminar held at the Red Jacket Inn in South Yarmouth. Special Agents from the FBI handled much of the training that included overviews of domestic and international terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and hazardous materials. In particular they focused on components that fire investigators should be aware of during an origin-and-cause Investigation.
The Bomb Squad also focused on building in-depth awareness of the components used in making improvised explosive devices what these components look like before and after detonation.
The seminar closed on Friday with an FBI presentation about behavioral signs and awareness of active shooters before they strike.
Video, photo and story by Kevin Morley/CWN
Save
Speak Your Mind