POST BLAST INVESTIGATION

GUIDELINES FOR EOD UNITS

SITUATION
The investigation of bombings in the ITO is unique for a variety of reasons, to
include force protection issues, the difficulty in adequately securing the site of the
detonation and effectively interviewing witnesses, all typical of the overall climate in the
ITO. However, there are a number of post blast investigative steps that can still be
carried out. Post blast investigations may be carried out by the CEXC/FBI, Iraqi National
Police or other agencies.
Regardless of what law enforcement unit (if any) conducts the primary post blast
investigation, the responding EOD unit is often in the best position to conduct the
preliminary post blast investigation. EOD units generally respond to all explosions, are
usually on the scene rather quickly after the blast and are therefore in a good position to
conduct the initial post blast investigation.
This guide is intended to assist the EOD unit in collecting relevant information
and evidence when the unit responds to a bombing. All information and evidence needs
to be forwarded to the Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell (CEXC) which will also
provide advice and assistance.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the post blast investigation are to support development of the
best EOD and Force Protection Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) and to
ultimately identify the bomber, the bomb builder (if different than the individual who
delivered the bomb) and anyone who assisted in the bombing conspiracy.
These objectives are usually accomplished by focusing the initial post blast
investigation on the following areas:
1. Locate and identify the components of the IED, to include fuzing system, Time
Power Unit (TPU), explosive main charge, etc.;
2. Determine the specific identifying information of the vehicle, to include make,
model, VIN, license plate, etc.; and
3. Identify the driver if a suicide bomber.
SUGGESTED GUIDLELINES FOR INITIAL RESPONSE
1. Check for secondary devices.

The increased use of secondary devices and attacks directed against EOD
personnel makes it imperative that the first step upon arrival is to check for secondary
devices and protect the ICP.
2. Ensure an adequate cordon / perimeter is set up.
The US rule of thumb is 50% farther than the distance of the farthest piece of
debris away from the crater. This will obviously have to be adjusted to fit the
circumstances in the ITO.
3. Sketch the crime scene.
Make a sketch of the area including relevant measurements such as size of crater,
distances from logical target.
4. Take photographs.
Photographs are cheap, the more the better. Include aerial photos if possible, wide
area photos of the scene, photos looking away from the crater on each of the cardinal
compass points, and anything that might be relevant in the future. Keep a photo log if
possible . Photographs of individual items should usually have three views: a long range
view showing the item in relation to the overall scene, a medium range photo and then a
close up. Two close up photos should be taken, one with a scale and one without.
Photographs of VIN numbers, engine block numbers and license plates should be taken.
5. Collection of evidence.
Due to the situation in the ITO, it is recommended that relevant items of potential
evidence be collected as soon as they are photographed to keep them from
disappearing. Keep a log of who found the item, who collected the item and keep a
chain of custody log. Substance is more important than form. The first priority is to take
possession of the relevant items, do not lose an item worrying about administrative
details.
6. Witness interviews.
To the extent possible, witnesses should be interviewed to determine what
happened. Get biographical data and contact information from witnesses so that they
can be located later for follow-up interviews.
7. Disposition of evidence and report.
All evidence, photographs, sketches and reports should be provided to the
Combined Explosive Exploitation Cell (CEXC
*OPERATOR SAFETY HAS PRIORITY AT ALL TIMES*

Attachments:
Administrative Worksheet: To record overall administrative information.
Narrative Description: Overall description of what happened.
Diagram / Sketch: Hand drawn sketch of scene.
Photographic Log: Record what photographs taken.
Evidence Recovery Log: Record evidentiary items collected.

ADMINISTRATIVE WORKSHEET

Page _______ of ________

Date __________________

LOCATION
UNIT & FIELD NUMBER
PREPARER/ASSISTANTS
TIME & DATE OF ARRIVAL
PERSON(S) PRESENT AT
SCENE AT TIME OF ARRIVAL
PERSON IN CHARGE OF
SCENE AT TIME OF ARRIVAL
CONTROL OF SCENE
OBTAINED FROM

PERSONNEL
INVOLVED SEARCH
AND THEIR
RESPECTIVE
DUTIES
PRELIMINARY SURVEY/EVIDENCE EVALUATION
(NOTES/OBSERVATIONS)

TIME & DATE OF CONTROL

ACQUISITION
CONDITION OF SCENE ON
ARRIVAL
(SECURED/UNSECURED)
LIGHTING CONDITIONS
WEATHER CONDITIONS
SCENE CONSISTS OF
(DESCRIPTION)

SPECIAL SITUATIONS OR CONDITIONS (NOTES/OBSERVATIONS)

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION
LOCATION _____________________________________________________

PAGE ______ OF ______

MODE of NARRATIVE PREPARATION (MS WORD,
ETC)_________________________________________

DATE __________________________________________________________
UNIT/ FIELD NUMBER_____ ______________________________________
PREPARER/ASSISTANTS _________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
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DIAGRAM / SKETCH
LOCATION ______________________________________________________

P AGE __________ OF ___________

REFERENCE:

DATE ___________________________________________________________

SCALE or DISCLAIMER

UNIT / FIELD NUMBER ____________________________________________

COMPASS ORIENTATION of EVIDENCE

PREPARER / ASSISTANTS _________________________________________

FIXED OBJECTS

__________________________________________________________________

MEASAUREMENTS

__________________________________________________________________

KEY/LEGEND

PHOTOGRAPH LOG
UNIT / FIELD NUMBER __________________________

CAMERA ________________________________________

DATE _________________________________________

ROLL # (IF APPLICABLE) _________________________

LOCATION ____________________________________

CHECK HERE IF SKETCH ATTACHED

PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANTS __________________

REMARKS ______________________________________

_______________________________________________

________________________________________________

PHOTO #SDISCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC MATTERCHECK IF SCALE USEDCOMMENTS

EXPLOITATION MATERIAL RECOVERY LOG

PAGE ____ OF____

UNIT / FIELD NUMBER _____________________________

PERSONNEL______________________________________

DATE ____________________________________________

_________________________________________________

LOCATION _______________________________________

_________________________________________________

PREPARER / ASSISTANTS __________________________

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________
ITEM #S

DISCRIPTION

WHERE FOUND

RECOVERED
BY

PHOTO #

PACKAGE
#

COMMENTS