CITP Exam 5 | 2026 STUDY GUIDE | DETAILED
ANSWER EXPLANATIONS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
Identify and describe the effects of an explosion? [EPO # 1 Improvised Explosive
Devices (IEDS)] -✓✓ANSWER: 1. Thermal Effect - Heat generated from the
explosion. The temperature of this reaction may exceed 7,000 degrees Fahrenheit
with some explosives.
a. A fireball or bright flash is often seen.
2. Blast Pressure Effect - The most powerful and destructive effect of an
explosion. The explosive
is converted to a dense, high pressure gaseous state with a temperature range of
3,000 degrees
Fahrenheit to over 7,000 degrees. The shock wave expands outward from the
point of detonation and
generates force which is applied to everything to which it makes contact.
a. Two Phases: Blast Wave and Vacuum (outward movement of air and depleted
oxygen)
3. Physiological Effects of Blast - Primary blast injuries result by the direct effects
of the
blast pressure wave on the human body. These injuries occur through implosion,
spalling, and
inertial effects. Secondary blast injuries are caused by fragmentation and debris
(metal fragments,
nails, nuts, bolts, glass, or rock).
,4. Structural Effects of Blast - Demolished walls, progressive collapse.
5. Fragmentation Effect - Primary fragmentation is produced by fragments of the
IED or explosive
container. Secondary fragmentation includes objects propelled from around the
detonation point as well as fractured pieces from the target material.er
• Identify an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).[EPO # 2 Improvised Explosive
Devices (IEDS)] -✓✓ANSWER: An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is a device
fabricated in a manner incorporating
destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals which is
designed to kill,
destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract.
The IED generally consists of four components:
1. Power Source - Requires a source of electricity or a battery.
2. Initiator - Blasting Caps (can be electric or nonelectric) fuse or detonating cord.
(Igniters
used for Improvised Incendiary Devices IIDs)
3. Explosive - "Charge", a compound or mixture which reacts in a chemical fashion
to yield heat,
light, and gases. Black powder, C4, TNT, Homemade Explosives (HME)
4. Switch - Arming device. The switch allows for transfer of voltage/amperage
from the power source to the initiator. (Washing Machine timers, microwave
switches, toggle
switches)
,• Identify a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED).[EPO # 3
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS)] -✓✓ANSWER: A VBIED is a vehicle modified
to conceal and deliver a large IED to a target for the purpose of
inflicting mass casualties and catastrophic property damage. The ubiquity of
vehicles in an urban environment makes the detection of VBIEDs extremely
difficult.
There are two primary VBIED methods of initiation:
1. Timed - Mechanical Timers, Electronic Timers, and Igniferous Fuse or
Pyrotechnic Delay
2. Command - Cell Phones, Long Range Cordless Phones, Car Alarm Systems,
Mobile
Radios (PMRs)
• Determine the law enforcement response to an Improvised Explosive Device
(IED)?[EPO # 6 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS)] -✓✓ANSWER: 1. Safety
Considerations
a. Do not use radios, cell phones, or television transmitting devices within
established perimeter. A potential for device activation by Electromagnetic
Radiation (EMR) exists.
b. Always anticipate and take precautions for secondary devices.
c. Most secondary device attacks occur within an hour of primary attack.
d. EOD and civilian bomb disposal teams may employ Electronic Countermeasures
(ECM) to jam potential radio-controlled IEDs or VBIEDs.
e. Injured and deceased may have explosives and IED evidence embedded in their
bodies.
2. Law Enforcement Response to an IED or VBIED Threat
a. IED Threat Notification
i. Suspicious Package or Vehicle
, 1. What makes the package suspicious?
2. What is it?
3. Where is it?
ii. Telephone Threat
1. Write down or record conversation.
2. Remind person making threat to bring the written information or recording
with them.
iii. Written Threat
1. Written information provided by bomber regarding the threat is evidence.
2. Preserve all parts of written threat to include delivery envelope.
iv. Positive Target Identification
1. PTI is precise description information relayed by the bomber regarding the IED
location. This
indicates the bomber was physically present at location.
2. In high percentage of incidents that involved PTI, something was found at the
location.
b. IED Incidents
i. Pre-Blast Incidents
1. Will most likely be reported to dispatch as a communicated threat.
2. ICS Pre-Blast inner and outer perimeters should be established.
3. Simultaneously search and evacuation decisions must be made.
ii. Establish multiple evacuation locations.
iii. Mandatory evacuation distance
iv. Shelter in Place Zone
v. Preferred Evacuation Distance:
ANSWER EXPLANATIONS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
Identify and describe the effects of an explosion? [EPO # 1 Improvised Explosive
Devices (IEDS)] -✓✓ANSWER: 1. Thermal Effect - Heat generated from the
explosion. The temperature of this reaction may exceed 7,000 degrees Fahrenheit
with some explosives.
a. A fireball or bright flash is often seen.
2. Blast Pressure Effect - The most powerful and destructive effect of an
explosion. The explosive
is converted to a dense, high pressure gaseous state with a temperature range of
3,000 degrees
Fahrenheit to over 7,000 degrees. The shock wave expands outward from the
point of detonation and
generates force which is applied to everything to which it makes contact.
a. Two Phases: Blast Wave and Vacuum (outward movement of air and depleted
oxygen)
3. Physiological Effects of Blast - Primary blast injuries result by the direct effects
of the
blast pressure wave on the human body. These injuries occur through implosion,
spalling, and
inertial effects. Secondary blast injuries are caused by fragmentation and debris
(metal fragments,
nails, nuts, bolts, glass, or rock).
,4. Structural Effects of Blast - Demolished walls, progressive collapse.
5. Fragmentation Effect - Primary fragmentation is produced by fragments of the
IED or explosive
container. Secondary fragmentation includes objects propelled from around the
detonation point as well as fractured pieces from the target material.er
• Identify an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).[EPO # 2 Improvised Explosive
Devices (IEDS)] -✓✓ANSWER: An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is a device
fabricated in a manner incorporating
destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals which is
designed to kill,
destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract.
The IED generally consists of four components:
1. Power Source - Requires a source of electricity or a battery.
2. Initiator - Blasting Caps (can be electric or nonelectric) fuse or detonating cord.
(Igniters
used for Improvised Incendiary Devices IIDs)
3. Explosive - "Charge", a compound or mixture which reacts in a chemical fashion
to yield heat,
light, and gases. Black powder, C4, TNT, Homemade Explosives (HME)
4. Switch - Arming device. The switch allows for transfer of voltage/amperage
from the power source to the initiator. (Washing Machine timers, microwave
switches, toggle
switches)
,• Identify a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED).[EPO # 3
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS)] -✓✓ANSWER: A VBIED is a vehicle modified
to conceal and deliver a large IED to a target for the purpose of
inflicting mass casualties and catastrophic property damage. The ubiquity of
vehicles in an urban environment makes the detection of VBIEDs extremely
difficult.
There are two primary VBIED methods of initiation:
1. Timed - Mechanical Timers, Electronic Timers, and Igniferous Fuse or
Pyrotechnic Delay
2. Command - Cell Phones, Long Range Cordless Phones, Car Alarm Systems,
Mobile
Radios (PMRs)
• Determine the law enforcement response to an Improvised Explosive Device
(IED)?[EPO # 6 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS)] -✓✓ANSWER: 1. Safety
Considerations
a. Do not use radios, cell phones, or television transmitting devices within
established perimeter. A potential for device activation by Electromagnetic
Radiation (EMR) exists.
b. Always anticipate and take precautions for secondary devices.
c. Most secondary device attacks occur within an hour of primary attack.
d. EOD and civilian bomb disposal teams may employ Electronic Countermeasures
(ECM) to jam potential radio-controlled IEDs or VBIEDs.
e. Injured and deceased may have explosives and IED evidence embedded in their
bodies.
2. Law Enforcement Response to an IED or VBIED Threat
a. IED Threat Notification
i. Suspicious Package or Vehicle
, 1. What makes the package suspicious?
2. What is it?
3. Where is it?
ii. Telephone Threat
1. Write down or record conversation.
2. Remind person making threat to bring the written information or recording
with them.
iii. Written Threat
1. Written information provided by bomber regarding the threat is evidence.
2. Preserve all parts of written threat to include delivery envelope.
iv. Positive Target Identification
1. PTI is precise description information relayed by the bomber regarding the IED
location. This
indicates the bomber was physically present at location.
2. In high percentage of incidents that involved PTI, something was found at the
location.
b. IED Incidents
i. Pre-Blast Incidents
1. Will most likely be reported to dispatch as a communicated threat.
2. ICS Pre-Blast inner and outer perimeters should be established.
3. Simultaneously search and evacuation decisions must be made.
ii. Establish multiple evacuation locations.
iii. Mandatory evacuation distance
iv. Shelter in Place Zone
v. Preferred Evacuation Distance:
