Improvised Explosive Devices: Understanding the Dangers and How to Deal with Them

Summary

In this article, we discuss the dangers of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and the measures taken to deal with them. John Stewart, an FBI agent and unit chief of the Hazardous Devices School, provides insights on the different types of IEDs and how they are identified using X-rays. The article also covers the three categories of IEDs and the curriculum taught at the Hazardous Devices School.

The Different Types of IEDs
Identifying IEDs Using X-rays
Categorizing IEDs
Dealing with IEDs: The Hazardous Devices School

The Different Types of IEDs

IEDs come in different shapes and forms, making them difficult to identify. They require a power supply, switch, container, conductors, and wires. There are two types of explosives: high and low. Low explosives burn or deflagrate, while high explosives change from solid to gas in microseconds. The pressure cooker is a standard vessel that holds pressure and a low explosive, and when it overcomes the pressure cooker, it causes a mechanical explosion. The Boston bombing used pressure cookers as the secondary device, and bomb technicians had to conduct a threat assessment to determine if there were any more bombs in the area.

Identifying IEDs Using X-rays

X-rays are used to identify the key components of an IED, including the explosive charge, switch, and battery power. The process of identifying an IED is crucial in determining the type of disruption tool to be used. Fragmentation, thermal effects, and blast waves are some of the dangers of IEDs.

Categorizing IEDs

IEDs are categorized into three different categories: victim-initiated, time-initiated, and command-initiated. Each category requires a different approach in dealing with the IED. Bomb technicians receive calls and gather intelligence before determining whether to use a robot or have a bomb technician in a bomb suit perform diagnostics and place a disruption tool.

Dealing with IEDs: The Hazardous Devices School

The Hazardous Devices School was created to train public safety law enforcement on how to deal with suspicious devices. The curriculum includes threat assessment, knowledge of electronics and explosives, and the use of robots. The process of putting a bomb technician in a bomb suit requires multiple people, making it a complex operation. The school also trains state and local bomb technicians on how to respond to calls that have resulted in the discovery of military ordnance, hand grenades, improvised explosive laboratories, and pipe bombs. In addition, the school conducts post-blast analysis and analysis of IEDs for the US government in Afghanistan.

Conclusion

IEDs pose a significant threat to public safety, and it is crucial to understand the different types and how to identify them. The Hazardous Devices School plays a critical role in training law enforcement on how to deal with these devices. With the right knowledge and training, we can mitigate the dangers posed by IEDs and keep our communities safe.