EXPLOSIVE EXAMINERS JOB DESCRIPTION 

General Definition of an explosives examiner: Laboratory personnel using scientific 

techniques to examine explosive material in the form of post-blast residue and/or 

unexploded material. 

Designated Personnel and Responsibilities: 

Technical/Laboratory Aide-A designated person that performs basic laboratory 

duties but does not examine evidence. 

Support Analyst-A designated person responsible for the examination and analysis 

of evidentiary samples on laboratory instrumentation. 

Explosive Chemist/Analyst- A designated person who receives, examines and 

analyzes evidence, interprets results, writes reports, technically or 

administratively reviews reports, and testifies to findings concerning casework. 

They may also teach, perform research, and develop procedures and methods, and 

may evaluate new technology and scientific equipment. 

Explosives Chemist/Analyst Supervisor- A designated person who has 

supervisory duties. The Explosive Chemist/Analyst Supervisor may receive, examine and 

analyze evidence, interpret results, write reports, technically or administratively review 

reports, and may testify to findings concerning casework. They may also teach, perform 

research, and develop procedures and methods, and may evaluate new technology and 

scientific equipment. 

Explosive Device Specialist-A designated person who has the duty to construct 

and/or reconstruct destructive devices. This person does not perform scientific 

laboratory analysis on post-blast residues or unexploded material. The Explosive 

Device Specialist has knowledge of electrical components potentially useful in 

constructing explosive devices, methods of initiation, containment and concealment, 

and various explosives and their resultant post-blast effects on various materials. 

This designated individual provides the technical information about whether a set of 

items would be considered a destructive device. 

Case Coordinator-A designated person with extensive knowledge of the forensic 

capabilities of the laboratory system. This person must have enough knowledge 

about forensic science to be able to prioritize cases and direct work flow. 

Technical Manager-A designated person who has the overall responsibility and 

authority for the technical operation of the explosives examinations. Technical 

operations include, but are not limited to: protocols, analytical methodology, 

evaluating report writing and conclusions. 

Technical Consultant- In the event that no personnel in the laboratory system has 

the qualifications described for a technical manager, a consultant having those 

qualifications must be retained from outside the laboratory system to perform 

technical consultant duties until such qualifications are attained. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical/Laboratory Aide 

Academic Requirements 

High School education is required. Additional coursework (college level) with 

strong emphasis on physical science is recommended. 

Requirements/Certifications 

The technician must have the ability to understand and operate the analytical 

tools and instruments, which they are required to use. 

Agency Training Requirements 

The training will consist of training to operate any analytical tool that they 

are required to use. An appropriate training period is recommended for 

each task. 

Position Duties 

Technicians/Laboratory Aides will assist the analyst with whatever is 

deemed appropriate work. This can include, but is not limited to, creation of 

standards, collection of background information, aspects of research, and library 

creation. The technician shall not perform casework. 

Support Analyst 

Academic Requirements 

The support analyst will exhibit knowledge of the theories, procedures and 

analytical techniques necessary to produce reliable results and conclusions. This 

person will have a minimum of a BA/BS degree in a natural or applied science, 

(may include criminalistics or forensic science) with recommended course work in 

general chemistry, organic chemistry, and instrumental analysis. 

Experience Requirements/Certifications 

No experience is required. 

Agency Training Requirements 

The Support Analyst must complete an appropriate training program that 

includes the type of explosives analyzed, standards/samples for analysis, and 

instrumentation use. The analyst must have completed and passed a competency 

test and yearly proficiency testing in explosives analysis. 

Position Duties 

The duties are to assist the explosive analyst in the analysis of explosive material, 

both unexploded and post-blast. Other duties include assisting the explosive 

analyst as needed. 
 

 

Explosive Chemist/Analyst 

Academic Requirements 

The explosive chemist will exhibit knowledge of the theories, procedures and 

analytical techniques necessary to produce reliable results and conclusions. This 

person will have a minimum of a BA/BS degree in a natural or applied science, 

(may include criminalistics or forensic science) with recommended course work in 

general chemistry, organic chemistry, and instrumental analysis. 

Experience Requirements/Certifications 

None. Must complete a training program. 

Agency Training Requirements 

Complete an appropriate training program that includes the analysis of low and 

high explosives standards, samples for analysis, and instrumentation used. It is 

recommended that the analyst complete a class in explosives analysis and a post 

blast investigation course such as those taught at the California Criminalistics 

Institute, at regional forensic science seminars, and at federally sponsored 

schools. The Explosive Chemist/Analyst may acquire knowledge of the theories, 

procedures and techniques necessary to construct or reconstruct an explosive device. 

The analyst must have completed and passed a competency test and yearly 

proficiency testing in explosives analysis. 

Position Duties 

The Explosive Chemist/Analyst is a person who receives, examines, and analyzes 

evidence, interprets results, writes reports and testifies to findings concerning 

casework. The qualified Explosive Chemist/Analyst may technically or 

administratively review other analyst’s explosives reports. The experienced 

chemist/analyst may teach, perform research, develop procedures and methods, 

and may evaluate new technology and scientific equipment. 

Explosives Chemist/Analyst Supervisor 

Academic Requirements 

The Explosives Chemist/Analyst Supervisor shall possess knowledge, skills, and 

abilities of an Explosives Chemist/Analyst including the theories, procedures and 

analytical techniques necessary to produce reliable results and conclusions. This 

person will have a minimum of a BA/BS degree in a natural or applied science 

(may include criminalistics and forensic science) with recommended course work 

in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and instrumental analysis. 

Experience Requirements/Certifications 

The Explosives Chemist/Analyst Supervisor shall have five (5) years experience 

in performing explosives analysis. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explosives Chemist/Analyst Supervisor (continued) 

Agency Training Requirements 

It is recommended that the Explosives Chemist/Analyst Supervisor have at least 

a one day workshop in supervision provided by a local college, commercia l 

group, or corporate training program. It is preferred that the Explosives 

Chemist/Analyst Supervisor attend at least a one week class on supervision of 

technical/scientific personnel. 

Position Duties 

In addition to regular supervisory duties, the Explosive Chemist/Analyst 

Supervisor may receive, examine and analyze evidence, interpret results, write 

reports, technically or administratively review reports, and may testify to findings 

concerning casework. They may also teach, perform research, and develop 

procedures and methods, and may evaluate new technology and scientific 

equipment. 

. 

Explosive Device Specialist 

Academic Requirements 

The Explosive Device Specialist will exhibit knowledge of the theories, procedures 

and techniques necessary to construct or reconstruct an explosive device. This 

person will have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. 

Experience Requirements/Certifications 

A minimum of one-year training is recommended for the Explosive Device 

Specialist in the manufacture of pyrotechnics and explosives, in explosive 

ordnance devices, and in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices. 

Agency Training Requirements 

Training will include successful completion of schools involving bomb-making 

courses, for example, but not limited to, the Federal Bureau of Investigation 

Hazardous Devices School (Redstone Arsenal at Hunstville, Ala.), Post-Blast 

Explosives Investigation and/or Advanced Post-Blast Explosives class, and the 

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms explosives schools at Glynco, 

Georgia. 

Position Duties 

The Explosive Device Specialist is a person who receives, examines, constructs, 

or reconstructs improvised explosive devices (pre and post blast), interprets results, 

writes reports, and testifies to findings concerning casework. The Explosive Device 

Specialist may teach, perform research, develop procedures and methods for the 

examination, construction, and reconstruction of explosive devices. 
 

Technical Manager 

Academic Requirements 

The Technical Manager shall possess knowledge, skills, and abilities of an 

Explosives Chemist/Analyst including the theories, procedures and analytical 

techniques necessary to produce reliable results and conclusions. This person will 

have a minimum of a BA/BS degree in a natural or applied science (may include 

criminalistics and forensic science) with recommended course work in general 

chemistry, organic chemistry, and instrumental analysis. 

Experience Requirements/Certifications 

The Explosives Technical Manager shall have five (5) years experience in 

performing explosive analysis. 

Agency Training Requirements 

Prior to becoming the Explosives Technical Manager, they shall have completed 

an appropriate training program that includes the analysis of low and high 

explosives standards, samples for analysis, and instrumentation used. It is 

recommended that the Technical Manager successfully complete a class in 

explosives analysis and a post blast investigation course such as those taught at 

the California Criminalistics Institute, at regional forensic science seminars, and 

at federally sponsored schools. The Technical Manager may acquire knowledge 

of the theories, procedures and techniques necessary to construct or reconstruct an 

explosive device. If the Technical Manager continues to perform casework, they 

must complete and pass yearly proficiency testing in explosives analysis. 

Position Duties 

In addition to technical supervisory duties, such as, but not limited to, 

teaching/training, mentoring of new analyst(s), performing research in both the 

literature and laboratory, developing procedures and methods, technically 

reviewing casework and proficiency tests in explosives analysis, the Explosives 

Technical Manager may receive, examine and analyze evidence, interpret results, 

write reports, administratively review reports, and testify to findings concerning 

casework. With the support of information provided by the Explosive 

Chemist/Analyst(s), the Technical Manager may suggest new instrumentation for 

capital asset purchases for the explosives section. The Technical Manager may 

allocate resources in the explosives section. 

Technical Consultant 

The Technical Consultant shall meet the same requirements as a Technical 

Manager include earned a BA/BS in a natural or physical science (may include 

criminalistics or forensic science), completed a training course in explosives 

analysis, have a minimum of 5 (five) years experience in explosives analysis, and 

pass proficiency tests on a yearly basis. 

The Technical Consultant may then act as a Technical Manager for a laboratory 

without personnel qualified as a Technical Manager.