Practical Bomb Scene Investigation (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigations) [Hardcover]

James T. Thurman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0849341981 | ISBN-13: 978-0849341984 | Publication Date: March 21, 2006 | Edition: 1

The illicit use of explosives has become a growing international concern. Those investigating the scenes of these bombings must do so expeditiously and effectively in order to locate any and all evidence among the rubble that can identify the culprits and bring them to justice.

Written by an explosives expert with over thirty years in the field, Practical Bomb Scene Investigation is an accessible step-by-step guide through the postblast investigative process. It is the first single-source reference that not only provides essential information on locating and safeguarding evidence at the scene, but it also takes the investigator through all phases of the inquiry.

This book uses case studies to promote an organized, methodical approach to investigations. It addresses safety issues such as military ordnance identification procedures and indicators of biological, chemical, and radiological material use. It also provides full color photographs of bomb scenes and related evidence.

Practical Bomb Scene Investigation is an essential book for not only the explosion/bomb scene investigator and technician, but also for homeland security professionals, first responders, terrorism/intelligence analysts, military personnel, trainers, educators, criminalist and forensic scientists

Editorial Reviews

Review

Tom Thurman has written what will soon be called "The Bible" of Post Blast Crime Scene Investigation.
-Kevin Miles, FBI Special Agent Bomb Technician, Los Angeles, California, USA

An effective no-nonsense step-by-step guide for Investigators...finally a work that is both technically accurate and an effective educational tool/guide for all of us who conduct or participate in Bomb Scene Investigations.
-Alan Elliott, Inspector, Victoria Police and 1St Assistant International Director, International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI), Australia

Tom Thurman's Practical Guide to Bombing Crime Scene Investigation prepares tomorrow's investigators for their role in defeating terrorists. Never before has a publication been as timely and so necessary. I am confident this book will save lives.
-Jeffrey Norwitz, Professor of National Security Studies, U.S. Naval War College and Federal Special Agent

This timely volume will become a benchmark reference for the law enforcement and military practitioner…A superbly crafted, practical reference…This work presents a contemporary, concise approach to post explosion investigation.
-Vic Poisson, Senior Explosives Specialist, City of Riverside Police Department, California, USA

About the Author

James T. Thurman has worked in the explosives field for more than 30 years, first as a U.S. Army bomb disposal technician and then as a special agent with the FBI. He continues to lecture and provide training on the methods of bomb scene investigation and explosives avoidance to domestic and international training schools and audiences. He is currently a professor at the Eastern Kentucky University, teaching a unique academic program on fire, arson, and explosion investigation. He holds a BA from Eastern Kentucky University and an MS Degree in Forensic Science from the George Washington University.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: CRC Press; 1 edition (March 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849341981
• ISBN-13: 978-0849341984
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #973,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Guide for the war on terrorism, February 18, 2007

By 

Paul R. Laska (Palm City, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Practical Bomb Scene Investigation (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigations) (Hardcover)

The global war on terror has increased the need for post blast investigation and training. Within the United States, an ever increasing number of bomb incidents involving juveniles, enmity, drug operations, organized criminals, and traditional criminals is seeing the need for post blast investigations spread to the smallest, most remote communities. Unfortunately, access to training has become limited, as traditional sources, such as the FBI and ATF, must address budgetary constraints and their own operational needs.

At a most opportune time, CRC Press has published James T. Thurman's Practical Bomb Scene Investigation. Thurman, an associate professor at Eastern Kentucky University, is well known within the bomb response community as the retired chief of the FBI's Explosives Unit and Bomb Data Center, putting him at the forefront of bomb response, intelligence sharing, and training in the U.S. He has combined his experience, education, with an ability to write in a very readable manner to produce a valuable guide to this field.

In the U.S., the FBI, ATF, Postal Inspection Service, Department of State and other agencies teach very similar post blast investigative techniques. Thurman maintains this documenting the team approach taught by these agencies. The team includes crime scene investigators, laboratory analysts, bomb technicians, and general investigators. Much of the physical crime scene procedure will be familiar to experienced members of the criminalistic fields - photography, sketch documentation, search techniques, and evidence collection techniques. Other aspects, however, will be new - establishing the search parameters, packaging materials for explosive residues, safety aspects, etc. Thurman covers these and many more related areas in a manner which is highly informative.

Important aspects of post blast investigation include recognition of components and understanding the technology of bomb functioning. Thurman does an outstanding job of introducing the reader to explosives, components, and function. He includes much detail on the subjects, providing the previously ignorant a wealth of insight into the construction of bombs, function of explosives, and the variety of types of explosions. Thurman also introduces the reader to evidence collection at scenes where bomb technicians have rendered safe a bomb, and to the processing of sites where bombs were being assembled for use elsewhere.

One chapter examines weapons of mass destruction. Thurman's intent in this chapter is not evidence collection; entire books have been devoted to the subject. Instead, it is to introduce the responder to WMD's, with eye towards safety. An explosive may be the dissemination or triggering device for a WMD; responders need to recognize that a scene may be highly hazardous unless steps are taken to protect investigators.

The book concludes with several appendices. Some deal with standardized crime scene logs and forms. Of greater value are detailed lists of explosive materials, a cross reference of explosive antonyms, color codes for military ordnance, and a step by step guide to explosive residue swabbing.

Until the publication of this book, there had been no true text dealing with this important subject. Thurman has produced a work of great value to investigators and bomb technicians, unit libraries, and as a textbook for college and specialized training programs. At a time when training resources are shrinking, it provides an important resource giving investigators a reference for self training and operational information. In the global war on terror, it will fill an important niche.