Examination of Firearms Review: 2007 to 2010 - Interpol

the type of weapon used is often more straight-forward.
Efforts by law enforcement agencies to identify and interdict planning
processes for CBRN terrorism is a key pillar in preventing CBRN attacks. In
these cases, law enforcement agencies are required to recognise the
indicators of a CBRN production/preparation facility (clandestine laboratory),
as well as other indicators of planning, such as recruitment of scientists from
universities or legitimate laboratories, trial releases, acquisition of laboratory
equipment and terrorist training literature/recipes. Crime scene investigators
need to be aware of the indicators of clandestine laboratories involved in the
preparation of materials other than illicit drugs. Key indicators include
dedicated equipment (centrifuges, glassware, detectors), unusual laboratory
chemicals (agar, culture media, chemical precursors) and possible dispersion
devices (explosives, gas cylinders, pressurised sprayers). Specific laboratory
equipment for safe handling of radioactive materials will most likely include
lead bricks for shielding during storage/preparation and radiation detectors.
Finally, once evidence has been processed and is not longer needed, specific
arrangements must be made for the safe destruction and/or disposal of CBRN
agents and contaminated items. Such items may be considered as hazardous
materials with specific requirements and reporting.
The different aspects of investigations involving specific CBRN agents have
recently been described, 2 as well as the main issues linked with chemical 3 or
biological 4 agents. However, the forensic investigations related to such events
may require techniques and protocols not usually available in standard
forensic laboratories. As a result, many countries are developing some CBRN
forensic capabilities, usually by agreements with partner agencies that
specialise in the handling of pathogens or nuclear materials. This review will
attempt to highlight some of the specific issues arising with CBRN agents and
give some recent examples of the techniques that are currently being
developed.
3. Current CBRN trends
The ability to stage a successful CBRN attack will depend greatly on the
technical ability of the terrorist group. While relatively simple “back yard”
laboratories might allow the preparation of some simple biological and
chemical agents, more complex laboratories, requiring commercial laboratory
equipment, would be required to prepare most biological and chemical
warfare agents, particularly if large-scale or high-purity preparations are the
desired end-product. 5 There have not been significant CBRN incidents over
the last 3 years period but the awareness of the disruption that a CBRN attack
may cause is increasing, hence it is only a question of time before a terrorist
attack using CBRN materials is performed.
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