Black fitness tracker with a curved screen displaying the time and date, set against a black background. Below the tracker, the text 'FLEX' is written in red and black, with the number '2' in superscript.

Forensic Low Explosive Examination


Forensic Low Explosive Examination (FLEX) is a course designed to provide bomb technicians and crime scene investigators with basic techniques for examining low explosives encountered during
explosive incidents. 
 

A blend of lecture and the hands-on training is emphasized to conduct the examination of low explosive mixtures.  The bomb technician and investigator will use safe sampling and examination techniques to identify, document, and collect samples for evidence and confirmatory analysis.  The course will enhance the investigator's ability advance  the investigation and testify in court as an expert witness.

Instructors
Upcoming Classes

FLEX 8-Hour Laboratory Course (Module 1)

  • Introduction to Forensic Science and Forensic Explosive Investigations

  • NFPA 921 Scientific Method for Fire and Explosion Investigations and the use of the scientific method for the forensic examination of explosives.

  • Safe Low Explosive Sampling Techniques

  • History, characteristics, and uses of common low explosives along with Key ID features of each.

  • Hands on Examination Techniques.

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FLEX 8-Hour Field Exercise Course (Module 2)

  • Explosive incident response for the investigator

  • Explosive Scene and Collection of Evidence

  • Processing the Scene for Explosive Material

  • Practical application of the Forensic Low Explosive Examination techniques in three distinct scenarios.

  • Developing case presentations to further the explosives investigation.

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FLEX 16-Hour Laboratory (Module 1) and Field Exercise Course (Module 2)

  • Introduction to Forensic Science and Forensic Explosive Investigations

  • NFPA 921 Scientific Method for Fire and Explosion Investigations and the use of the scientific method for the forensic examination of explosives.

  • Safe Low Explosive Sampling Techniques

  • History, characteristics, and uses of common low explosives along with Key ID features of each.

  • Hands on Examination Techniques.

  • Explosive incident response for the investigator

  • Explosive Scene and Collection of Evidence

  • Processing the Scene for Explosive Material

  • Practical application of the Forensic Low Explosive Examination techniques in three distinct scenarios.

  • Developing case presentations to further the explosives investigation.

  • CA POST approved 5001-30065-25

  • Approved for 16 hours of certification/recertification training credit by the International Association for Identification Crime Scene Certification Board (20230018).

Pie charts showing data on subject knowledge before and after a course, with categories None, Low, Moderate, and High (SME).
Close-up view of a contact lens case with multiple contact lenses inside, seen through the opening of a cylindrical container or cup.
A piece of wood is held with a clamp, with a lit match or lighter igniting a small flame on the end of the wood in an indoor setting.
A forensic low explosive examination kit includes a gray notebook with a circular logo, a bundle of uncooked spaghetti, a yellow plastic container, a black and blue handheld device labeled 'Wind Resistant', a magnifying device, a transparent ruler, a black and white object, a small black zippered bag, and a black carry case with several compartments.

Personnel Trained from the Following Agencies:

Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, CA

Clovis Police Department, CA

Fresno Fire Department, CA

Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office, TX

San Antonio Police Department, TX

San Antonio Fire Department, TX

Texas Department of Public Safety (Texas Rangers), TX

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, CA

Santa Maria Police Department, CA

El Cajon Police Department, CA

Bakersfield Police Department, CA

Elk Grove Police Department, CA

Hayward Police Department, CA

Escondido Police Department, CA

Scientific Police Central Laboratory (Algiers), Algeria

Singapore Police Force, Singapore

Scientific Police of Alagoas, Brazil

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office, CA

Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, CA

Visalia Police Department, CA

Reading Fire Marshal’s Office, PA

Kingston Fire Department, PA

Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office, PA

Abington Township Fire Marshal’s Office, PA

Township of Spring Fire Marshal’s Office, PA

Lower Providence Township Fire Marshal’s Office, PA

San Fransico Police Department, CA

San Jose Police Department, CA

San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, CA

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, CA

CAL Fire

Napa County Sheriff’s Office, CA

Napa Police Department, CA

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, CA

Napa County District Attorney’s Office, CA

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, CA

UC Berkeley Police Department, CA

Federal Bureau of Investigation