Henry Porretto on Bomb Explosion Investigations

(Newswire.net — April 10, 2018) Mathis, Texas — In the wake of a string of bombings in the communities in and around Austin, Texas, media focus has turned to the role of law enforcement officials in investigating these incidents. A poor understanding of investigative tactics and practices has led the general public to believe that locating a bombing suspect is an easy task, when the reverse is most often the case. Law enforcement consultant and tactical expert Henry S. Porretto knows that the aftermath of a bombing presents a complex, confusing situation for even the most highly-trained explosives investigator. “There are primary concerns about officer safety, and then investigations have to piece together evidence, sometimes scattered over wide areas,” says Mr. Porretto, who served as the Chief of Police for the City of Galveston Police Department before entering the consulting field. “In any investigation, there are many details that can help pinpoint a suspect, but in serial bombings, law enforcement personnel are often racing against the clock.” To learn more about police investigative procedures following a bombing, visit https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2018/03/20/274132/how-do-law-enforcement-officers-investigate-bomb-explosions/.

Officer and public safety is a priority in bombing investigations. All too often, bombers will plant secondary explosives at a scene with the intent of harming first responders. Securing a bombing crime scene may take many hours as specially-trained responders comb the area for hidden explosive devices. Once the scene is secured, investigative personnel can begin to collect evidence. Local police departments often work together with federal authorities like investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or the FBI. These federal agencies handle many types of bombing incidents, particularly when terrorism or hate crimes are suspected.

Once evidence is being collected, a clearer picture begins to take shape. Each bomber has a unique signature, such as the way an explosive device was wired, the type and composition of explosive compounds, and the characteristics of the bomb’s casing, placement, or details. This is often referred to as a bomber’s “signature”, and provides investigators with a better understanding of the tradecraft each bomber applies to his or her devices. Serial bombers are often identified through their signatures, pinpointing trends and patterns and helping law enforcement officials narrow down suspects. Federal authorities have even developed a revolutionary tool called the Bomb Arson Tracking System to help investigators in their search for those responsible. “Advanced training and tools are an important part of the investigative puzzle,” says Henry Porretto. “With these advances and the hard work of on-scene investigators, we can reduce injuries or deaths resulting from explosive devices.” For more information on Mr. Porretto and his award-winning law enforcement career, visit https://newswire.net/newsroom/pr/00097927-henry-porretto-publicly-recognized-by-mathis-city-manager.html.