Why is intel gathering essential for EOD operations?

Intel gathering is a critical component of EOD operations because it delivers essential information about potential threats and the specific locations of explosives. This insight allows EOD teams to assess risks effectively, plan their approach, and ensure the safety of personnel and the public. Understanding the context in which explosives are found enables teams to determine whether the ordnance is live, understand the type of explosive involved, and decide on the most appropriate response tactics.

The other options, while relevant to certain situations, do not directly capture the primary purpose of intel gathering. Fabricating explosives safely pertains more to the handling and creation of ordnance rather than the assessment and operational planning integral to EOD missions. Collecting evidence post-explosion is an important aspect of forensics but occurs after the primary threat assessment and neutralization of explosives take place, thereby not aligning with the immediate need for preemptive threat evaluation. Identifying civilians near blast zones is crucial for ensuring safety but is part of broader situational awareness rather than the specific information gathered through intel relevant to the explosives themselves.