Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society

Post-Blast Investigation Techniques Training

SAQA US 258018 | NQF 5 | Credits 11 | Duration 8 Days
From $1,658 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to conduct systematic post-blast investigations. Participants will learn to secure blast scenes, collect and preserve evidence, and compile investigative reports that support legal and safety compliance.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply safety protocols to secure and manage a post-blast scene.
  • Analyse blast patterns, fragmentation, and damage indicators to determine explosive type and placement.
  • Evaluate evidence collection methods, including photographic documentation and chain of custody procedures.
  • Design a structured investigation plan that includes witness interviews and scene mapping.
  • Implement forensic sampling techniques for trace explosive residues.
  • Demonstrate the ability to compile a comprehensive post-blast investigation report.

Target Audience

This course is designed for security personnel, forensic investigators, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operators, and safety officers responsible for investigating explosive incidents in mining, law enforcement, or private security contexts.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Post-Blast Investigation

Objectives:
• Understand the role and importance of post-blast investigations.
• Identify the legal and ethical framework governing such investigations.
• Describe the phases of a post-blast investigation.
• Recognise the composition and effects of common explosives.

Topics:
• Overview of post-blast investigation.
• Legal framework: SA legislation, chain of custody.
• Types of explosives and their characteristics.
• Effects of explosions: blast wave, fragmentation, thermal.
• Scene safety and initial response.
• Role of the investigator.
• Coordination with emergency services.
• Documentation and evidence preservation.

Day 2: Scene Management and Evidence Identification

Objectives:
• Establish and manage a post-blast scene perimeter.
• Identify and classify various types of physical evidence.
• Apply systematic search techniques.
• Understand contamination control measures.

Topics:
• Scene security and access control.
• Search patterns: grid, line, spiral.
• Types of evidence: debris, residues, fragments, biological.
• Evidence identification and initial assessment.
• Contamination prevention and PPE.
• Photography and videography basics.
• Note-taking and sketching.
• Hazardous materials considerations.

Day 3: Evidence Collection and Packaging

Objectives:
• Demonstrate proper evidence collection techniques.
• Select appropriate packaging for different evidence types.
• Maintain chain of custody documentation.
• Apply safety protocols during collection.

Topics:
• Collection tools and equipment.
• Techniques for collecting debris, residues, and trace evidence.
• Packaging materials and methods.
• Labelling and sealing.
• Chain of custody forms and procedures.
• Sampling protocols for explosive residues.
• Handling of hazardous evidence.
• Documentation of collection process.

Day 4: Forensic Analysis of Explosive Residues

Objectives:
• Understand laboratory analysis methods for explosive residues.
• Interpret analytical results.
• Relate residues to explosive types and device construction.
• Appreciate limitations of forensic analysis.

Topics:
• Overview of forensic laboratories in SA.
• Analytical techniques: GC-MS, HPLC, TLC, ion chromatography.
• Sample preparation and extraction.
• Identification of explosive compounds.
• Interpretation of chromatograms and spectra.
• Quality assurance and control.
• Reporting and testimony basics.
• Case studies of residue analysis.

Day 5: Device Reconstruction and Analysis

Objectives:
• Reconstruct improvised explosive devices from evidence.
• Identify components and their functions.
• Determine initiation mechanisms.
• Document reconstruction for court presentation.

Topics:
• Principles of device reconstruction.
• Common IED components: power source, switch, initiator, main charge.
• Reconstruction techniques and tools.
• Analysis of fragmentation patterns.
• Determining device placement and orientation.
• Photography and diagramming of reconstruction.
• Safety during reconstruction.
• Case examples.

Day 6: Investigation of Vehicle and Structure Bombings

Objectives:
• Adapt investigation techniques for vehicle and building attacks.
• Identify unique evidence types in vehicular and structural bombings.
• Assess structural damage and collapse patterns.
• Coordinate with structural engineers.

Topics:
• Vehicle bomb characteristics and damage patterns.
• Evidence collection from vehicles.
• Structural bombings: building damage assessment.
• Search and rescue considerations.
• Collaboration with structural engineers.
• Forensic engineering principles.
• Case studies of vehicle and building bombings.
• Documentation and reporting.

Day 7: Legal Aspects and Courtroom Presentation

Objectives:
• Prepare expert testimony and court exhibits.
• Understand rules of evidence and expert witness duties.
• Present findings clearly and credibly.
• Handle cross-examination effectively.

Topics:
• Expert witness role and ethics.
• Rules of evidence in South African courts.
• Preparing reports and exhibits.
• Demonstrative evidence: diagrams, models, photos.
• Courtroom procedures and decorum.
• Testimony techniques.
• Cross-examination strategies.
• Mock testimony exercise.

Day 8: Practical Integration and Assessment

Objectives:
• Apply all skills in a simulated post-blast scenario.
• Conduct a full investigation from scene to report.
• Demonstrate teamwork and coordination.
• Complete a comprehensive post-blast report.

Topics:
• Simulated post-blast scenario setup.
• Scene assessment and safety briefing.
• Systematic search and evidence identification.
• Collection, packaging, and chain of custody.
• Preliminary reconstruction and analysis.
• Report writing.
• Presentation of findings.
• Debrief and feedback.

Practicals

24 hours of practicals To be conducted online or on-campus or in-house
Overview

Practical sessions are integral to this course, allowing learners to apply theoretical knowledge in simulated post-blast scenarios. Hands-on activities include evidence search, collection, packaging, device reconstruction, and report writing, ensuring competence in real-world investigations.

Practical Activities
  • Scene Search and Evidence Identification — Learners conduct a systematic search of a simulated blast scene, identifying and marking various types of evidence. (6h)
  • Evidence Collection and Packaging — Learners collect and package different evidence types using proper tools and materials, maintaining chain of custody. (6h)
  • Device Reconstruction — Learners reconstruct an improvised explosive device from provided components and fragments, documenting the process. (6h)
  • Full Simulation Exercise — Learners conduct a complete post-blast investigation from scene arrival to final report, including a mock court testimony. (6h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) 100% 30%
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 50%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Practicals 30% + Daily Average 20% + Final Test 50%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Fri 11 Sep 2026 Tue 22 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,658 Register
Thu 01 Oct 2026 Mon 12 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,658 Register
Wed 21 Oct 2026 Fri 30 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,658 Register
Wed 09 Dec 2026 Fri 18 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,658 Register
Tue 12 Jan 2027 Thu 21 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,658 Register
Mon 15 Feb 2027 Wed 24 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,658 Register
Fri 05 Mar 2027 Tue 16 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,658 Register
Thu 11 Mar 2027 Mon 22 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,658 Register
Wed 17 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,658 Register
Tue 08 Jun 2027 Thu 17 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,658 Register
Mon 28 Jun 2027 Wed 07 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,658 Register
Fri 23 Jul 2027 Tue 03 Aug 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,658 Register
Thu 09 Sep 2027 Mon 20 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,658 Register
Wed 29 Sep 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,658 Register
Tue 19 Oct 2027 Thu 28 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,658 Register
Wed 08 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,658 Register
Tue 28 Dec 2027 Thu 06 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,658 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Wed 26 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,658 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 492 sessions across 26 venues
Start End Venue Season Price Action
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Wed 19 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,484 Register
Tue 11 Aug 2026 Thu 20 Aug 2026 Abu Dhabi, UAE Winter 2026 $6,264 Register
Wed 12 Aug 2026 Fri 21 Aug 2026 Durban, South Africa Winter 2026 $3,942 Register
Wed 12 Aug 2026 Fri 21 Aug 2026 Mauritius Winter 2026 $4,860 Register
Thu 13 Aug 2026 Mon 24 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $4,104 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 14 Sep 2026 Wed 23 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,155 Register
Fri 09 Oct 2026 Tue 20 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,155 Register
Thu 29 Oct 2026 Mon 09 Nov 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,155 Register
Thu 17 Dec 2026 Mon 28 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $2,155 Register
Wed 20 Jan 2027 Fri 29 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $2,155 Register
Tue 23 Feb 2027 Thu 04 Mar 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $2,155 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Wed 17 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,155 Register
Fri 19 Mar 2027 Tue 30 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,155 Register
Thu 25 Mar 2027 Mon 05 Apr 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,155 Register
Wed 16 Jun 2027 Fri 25 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,155 Register
Tue 06 Jul 2027 Thu 15 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,155 Register
Mon 26 Jul 2027 Wed 04 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,155 Register
Fri 17 Sep 2027 Tue 28 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,155 Register
Thu 07 Oct 2027 Mon 18 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,155 Register
Wed 27 Oct 2027 Fri 05 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,155 Register
Thu 16 Dec 2027 Mon 27 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,155 Register
Wed 05 Jan 2028 Fri 14 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,155 Register
Tue 25 Jan 2028 Thu 03 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,155 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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