ENCYCLOPEDIA OF Espionage, Intelligence, and Security Volume ...

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Accident, Detection and Monitoringslate or loft insulation may be dislodged if illegal entry isgained into a building. Fragments of either can adhere toclothing and may be recovered from a suspect. A comparisonof these with similar materials at the incident scenecan link a suspect to a crime. Similarly, paint can beconveyed between surfaces following contact, and analysisof paint composition and layering can be used toconnect paint fragments to a crime. The most commonoccurrence is the transfer of paint between vehicles orobjects in road traffic accidents. Paint fragments can alsoadhere to items of clothing following contact with looseflakes on surfaces such as windows at the scene of burglaries.Paint analysis can also be applicable in circumstanceswhere painted car parts are suspected of having beenexchanged between vehicles.Chemical analysis of cloth fibers, stains and organicmaterials such as human hair and body fluids provide vitalevidence in, for example, homicide cases. In the past,biochemical blood typing using antisera and the matchingof hair types could not provide absolute identification of asuspect or victim, although it could narrow the possibilitiesdown. Today, however, even minute quantities ofblood, semen, skin cells and hair can yield DNA profiles.DNA from different individuals differs in base sequenceand, theoretically every individual with the exception ofidentical twins, can be identified solely on the basis oftheir DNA sequences. However, a complete DNA analysisof individuals is a daunting and time consuming taskbecause of the many millions of bases in the humangenome. The possibilities for routine genome analysis donot exist at present. Instead, DNA matching is performedby analysing shorter, highly polymorphic single locusgenes such as the VNTR genes. This method can establisha “DNA signature” for almost any individual. Biochemicalanalysis of these sequences can determine whether twoDNA samples are from the same person, related people,or unrelated people. Though these methods also do notyield absolute certainties, they are nevertheless moreprecise than traditional methods such as blood typing.DNA profiling as a crime intelligence aid involves theuse of basic chemical and biochemical procedures. DNA ischemically isolated from the cell or tissue sample, amplifiedusing the enzymes in the polymerase chain reaction(PCR), and then analyzed by electrophoretic methods. TheDNA profile from the scene of the crime can be comparedwith a DNA profile from a suspect and a match can link thesuspect to the crime. If there is no suspect, the DNA profilecan be matched with profiles stored on to the NationalDNA Database (NDNAD). If there is no match with theNDNAD, it is sometimes decided to carry out an intelligence-ledscreen (a mass DNA screen). A target group ofindividuals, for example, men within a certain age rangeliving in a town or area, are asked to voluntarily provideDNA samples, which are then analyzed and comparedwith a profile linked to a particular crime. Samples fromvolunteers are not stored on the NDNAD, and are destroyedif they do not match the crime profile.Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, and SecurityThus, the sensitivity and accuracy of chemical analyticalmethods lie at the heart of forensic science and, withthe advances in biochemical techniques, provide essentialtools for crime intelligence investigations.❚ FURTHER READING:BOOKS:Bodziak J., and Jon J. Nordby. Forensic Science: AnIntroduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques.CRC Press, 2002.PERIODICALS:Casagrande, R. “Technology against Terror.” ScientificAmerican. 287 (2002):59–65.“Early Warning Technology.” “Med Device Technol 13(2002): 70–2.SEE ALSOBiodetectorsCrime Prevention, Intelligence AgenciesExplosive CoalForensic ScienceMicrobiology: Applications to Espionage, Intelligence andSecurityMolecular Biology: Application to Espionage, Intelligenceand Security Issues❚ LARRY GILMANChernobyl Nuclear PowerPlant Accident, Detectionand MonitoringOn April 26, 1986, a nuclear reactor in the town of Chernobyl(in the Ukraine, then a member state of the Soviet Union)exploded, collapsing the building in which it was locatedand releasing a radioactive plume that deposited materialover much of Europe and Scandinavia. Although the Sovietgovernment was unwilling to release information, satellitephotographs by military and civilian satellites, as wellas direct radiation measurements downwind, confirmedthe event.The accident and its consequences. The town of Chernobyl,some 60 miles (96 km) north of the city of Kiev(population 2.5 million), is the site of a nuclear electricitygeneratingstation comprising four identical units of theSoviet-designed RBMK1000 type. Each of the four units isdesigned to produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity; one ofthe units is still in operation. On April 25, 1986, operatorsbegan an experiment at Unit No. 4 to take advantage ascheduled annual maintenance shutdown. The goal of the185