Course detail: Post-Blast Reconstruction Refresher Course

Course Description

The Post-Blast Reconstruction Refresher Course, presented by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in collaboration with the Overland Park Police Bomb Squad, provides experienced investigators with an opportunity to review and strengthen core explosive reconstruction skills.


This course is designed for personnel who have previously completed a recognized federal, state, or approved private vendor explosive reconstruction program. Participants will review foundational principles of explosives, detonation methods, scene documentation, and evidence evaluation. Following classroom instruction, students will divide into teams and respond to a live training range to process two simulated post blast scenes.


Each team will organize personnel, collect and document evidence, analyze recovered materials, and present findings. The exercise culminates in producing a sketched rendering of the device as it likely appeared prior to detonation, reinforcing analytical and reconstruction skills essential to successful post blast investigations.


Core Competency

Participants will apply advanced post blast investigative principles to organize personnel, document and collect evidence, analyze explosive debris, and reconstruct explosive devices based on physical and photographic evidence.


Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of explosives and common methods of detonation.

  2. Organize investigative personnel to properly secure, document, and process a post blast scene.

  3. Evaluate evidence, photographs, and recovered debris to support device reconstruction.

  4. Produce a sketched rendering of an explosive device as it appeared prior to detonation based on scene evidence.

Instructional Methods

  • Lecture

  • Group discussion

  • Hands on practical exercises

  • Live range post blast scene processing

  • Performance based evaluation of device reconstruction sketch

Who Should Attend:

  • Arson investigators

  • Crime scene investigators

  • Detectives

  • Law enforcement personnel assigned to explosive or fire investigations

Prerequisite:

  • Participants must have previously completed a recognized Post Blast Investigation or Explosive Reconstruction course provided by a federal agency or an approved private vendor. Proof of prior training must be submitted prior to attendance.
  • Contact KLETC Police Instructor, Tom Hayselden to submit required documentation; thayselden@kletc.org

Course Requirements:

  • 100% attendance and participation

  • Successful completion of practical reconstruction exercises

Fitness Level Necessary for Successful Completion: ACTIVE



Available sessions

This course contains no sessions