This course was designed to address the needs of first responders – whether they are members of law enforcement or the military – as they encounter homemade explosives (HMEs). This class focuses on answering the following questions: What do HMEs look like? What are the precursors used for HMEs? What do HME items look like during the different stages of manufacturing? How sensitive are the compounds? What are the manufacturing processes? What smells are associated with the chemicals and processes? What hazards are associated with the chemicals and processes? How do we safely sample and test unknown chemicals?
This course answers all of these aforementioned questions in addition to many more. Rather than reading about HMEs and listening to lectures, this course focuses on the practical aspects of HMEs and emphasizes knowledge through action. During this course students will mix many HMEs including Peroxides, Nitrates, Chlorates and primary explosives. Prior to mixing the HMEs, there is an overview of the chemicals and processes involved. Instead of using techniques that will only work in a sterile and controlled lab environment, the mixing procedures are conducted using the same recipes, processes and equipment used by the terrorists in order to better prepare the students for real scenarios.
Towards the end of the week each of the HME mixtures are tested using field tests for friction, impact and flame. After the tests are complete, the mixtures are transported to the on-site range and initiated using the detonators the students constructed during the course.
This course is delivered by Dr. Sidney Alford at his training quarry in the UK. As a world renowned expert in the field of explosive chemistry, explosives and their applications, Dr. Alford will be able to answer any questions that the students might have.
An example of this course’s benefits stems from the true story of a bomb tech that completed this training and returned to his unit where they were tasked to investigate an incident involving suspected TATP. Because of his training, the tech had the knowledge and confidence needed to sample and test the suspected TATP on location. While he could not positively identify the chemical, he was able to confidently determine that it was safe to transport the chemical to the demolition range for disposal. The removal of the chemical was completed without a major evacuation of the area, which is normally the procedure when an unknown chemical is found.