Examination of Firearms Review: 2007 to 2010 - Interpol

6. Conclusion
The nature of a CBRN crime scene is quite different to other ones. It is an
aggressive environment that requires the investigator to be protected and that
will make the collection of evidence difficult. Detection techniques for chemical
and radiological agents are adequate but a method for rapid identification of
biological agents is still lacking. Detection of the exposure to CBR agents has
come a long way, with biomarkers being identified and the field of
biodosimetry being developed. However, the handling of the evidence
remains a problem. Techniques to investigate the agents, especially regarding
their source attribution, are being developed. Meanwhile obtaining good
forensic evidence from contaminated items remains difficult although more
harmless decontamination methods are being investigated.
7. References
1 Baines P. Hazardous Materials: Chemical, Biological, Radiological and
Nuclear - A Review: 2004 to 2007. Proceedings of the-15th International
Forensic Science Symposium INTERPOL, Lyon 2007 October; 438-482
2 Morrish BC, Roffey PE, Gillman VC, Norman KW, Koperski JG,
Abbondante SF, Wenger E. Chemical, Biological, Radiological and
Nuclear Investigations. Wiley Encyclopaedia of Forensic Science,
Jamieson A, Moenssens A (eds), John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Chichester, UK,
2009; 500-507.
3 Norman KW, Gillman VC. Chemical Warfare Agents. Wiley Encyclopaedia
of Forensic Science, Jamieson A, Moenssens A (eds), John Wiley & Sons
Ltd., Chichester, UK, 2009; 507-528.
4 Roffey PE, Morrish BC. Biological Agents. Wiley Encyclopaedia of
Forensic Science, Jamieson A, Moenssens A (eds), John Wiley & Sons
Ltd., Chichester, UK, 2009; 299-313.
5 For a good review on CBRN issues and trends: Frinking E, Sweijs T, van
Dongen T, Ethembabaoglu A. Navigating the CBRN landscape of 2010
and beyond: towards a new policy paradigm. The Hague Centre for
Strategic Studies 2010; No 01 | 01 | 10.
6 Midkiff CR. Thallium: More than An Ant Killer. Scientific Sleuthing Review
2008; 32 (4): 5-11.
7 US Department of Justice website: http://www.justice.gov/amerithrax/ (last
viewed 25/5/2010)
8 Mowatt-Larssen R. Al Qaeda Weapons of Mass Destruction Threat: Hype
or Reality? Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard
Kennedy School, 2010 January.
9 Morse SA. The challenge of bioterrorism. Encyclopedia of Infectious
Diseases, Tibayrenc M (ed) 2007; 619-637.
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