How does the FBI educate law enforcement on IED’s? Well - they blow things up.

The FBI hosted an improvised explosive device demonstration (IED) at the training facility in Green Thursday afternoon.

The demonstration provides law enforcement with the tools necessary to search and identify explosives made with a combination of chemicals.

“There are chemicals that are in everybody’s household that can be used for bad purposes,” said FBI Special Agent Vicki Anderson. “There are legitimate reasons for the chemicals and then there are chemicals that can be used in an explosive.”

The chemicals used to make the explosive devices range from cleaning to automotive products. Homemade bombs, along with several military bombs, were detonated to show the strength and power packed inside an average IED.

Russ Csaszar, a bomb technician with the FBI, said the internet has made it easier for people to develop and create their own explosives inside their home.

“It’s also a lot more dangerous. People will start to make things that they think are safe, but if they don’t mix it right, they are very hazardous and they can end up hurting themselves,” said Csaszar.

Anderson said it’s important to be proactive and stay up to date with the new chemicals and products used the make dangerous IED’s.

“Everything is a concern after 9/11. We take it to a different level now,” said Anderson. “We all need to be aware.”