I Investigated 2,300 Arson & Bombing Cases — What I Saw Was Dark | Wayne Miller

Locked In with Ian Bick

Ian Bick

Society & Culture

4.8 • 743 Ratings

🗓️ 26 March 2026

⏱️ 118 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Wayne Miller spent over 20 years as an ATF agent investigating some of the most dangerous arson and bombing cases in the country. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Wayne shares what it was really like working over 2,300 fire and explosion scenes across 43 states, going inside active crime scenes, and dealing with the aftermath of some of the most destructive incidents imaginable. From tracking down arsonists to responding to bombings, he breaks down the reality of the job, the cases that stuck with him, and the dark side of investigating crimes most people never see. _____________________________________________ #TrueCrime #Arson #Bombing #ATF #CrimeStories #FederalAgent #CrimeInvestigation #realcrime _____________________________________________ Thank you to GOLD DROP SELZTERS for sponsoring this episode:Head to https://www.thedryoak.com/ and use promo code LOCKEDIN at checkout for 10% off your order. _____________________________________________ Connect with Wayne Miller: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorwaynemiller LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/wayne-miller-56b379197 Website: https://www.burnbostonburn.com/ Email: authorwaynemiller@gmail.com _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Haunting Arson Case — Opening Story 00:39 Early Life & Background 01:23 Family, Upbringing & Values 02:25 Childhood Lessons & Discipline 03:04 Blended Family & Stepfather Influence 04:04 Childhood Dreams, Sports & Goals 04:46 West Point Rejection & Career Pivot 05:54 Choosing Law Enforcement 06:28 First Undercover Operation 07:52 Early Career Struggles & Odd Jobs 09:42 Joining the ATF 10:31 First Years as an ATF Agent 12:11 Gun Cases, Paper Trails & Investigations 13:32 How ATF Investigates Crime 16:16 Undercover Work & Latin Kings Case 19:17 Major Gun Seizures & Criminal Networks 25:15 Gun Trafficking & Organized Crime 27:09 Illegal Firearms — Then vs Now 28:28 Undercover Risks & Dangerous Encounters 32:12 Backup, Surveillance & Tech Challenges 34:11 ATF History — Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement 36:47 Arson Investigations & Boston Task Force 41:16 Apartment Fires & Arson for Profit 42:56 Inside a Fire Scene Investigation 45:53 Fire Evidence & Real Case Examples 49:00 Arson Devices & Investigation Challenges 53:02 Accidental vs Intentional Fires 54:06 Why Arsonists Are Hard to Catch 01:03:10 Wrongful Convictions & Forensic Science Changes 01:08:11 Trial Strategies & Courtroom Battles 01:10:09 Profile of a Serial Arsonist 01:13:32 Arson, Bombings & Murder Cases 01:18:55 Bomb Devices, Signatures & Boston Bombing 01:24:09 Unsolved Cases & Frustrations 01:28:00 When Suspects Insert Themselves 01:28:43 The Worcester 6 Fire — Tragic Case 01:35:13 Aftermath, Loss & Investigation Challenges 01:39:39 Personal Toll of the Job 01:41:21 Health Risks & Sacrifices 01:44:45 Would You Do It Again? 01:45:56 Advice for Future ATF Agents 01:48:43 Books, Stories & Career Highlights 01:53:19 Final Reflections & Career Lessons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:29.7	Is there a case that still haunts you to this day? Two homeless people had made their home in that
0:34.6	building. Nobody told the firefighters, they went in looking, and then they weren't heard from again.
0:39.3	They sent in two to look for them, and they just disappeared.
0:42.3	And then two more guys went in and they disappeared.
0:45.3	Those other guys were already dead by that point, and we weren't going to lose anymore.
0:49.3	Wayne Miller investigated over 2,300 arson and bombing cases as an ATF agent, witnessing destruction, crime scenes, and moments most people will never see.
0:58.5	In this episode, he reveals the dark reality behind those cases and what the job was really like.
1:07.7	Where did you grow up?
1:09.3	Rhode Island.
1:10.3	What was that like?
1:12.6	Fairly quiet.
1:15.3	Suburb outside of Providence was easy.
1:18.8	And, you know, in high school I was very active.
1:22.6	I mean, I tried playing multiple sports.
1:24.7	I ended up sticking with hockey.
1:26.5	I played hockey in through college.
1:29.3	And but growing up there, I ended up being class president, junior and senior year.
	...

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