Innovation in CBRN Forensics, a Challenge Ed van Zalen Program manager CBRN 20 September 2011
CBRNE program 2008-2012 Chemical agents Biologic agents Radioactive and Nuclear agents Explosives Forensic anthropology Disaster Victim Identification Education and training Forensic respons Research and Development 2
Main measures CBRN-E program A. Risc assesment of the scene of crime. Collection of forensic evidence material at a extensive scene of crime, when necessary personal protection equipment, such as a gas suit with gas masks. B. The investigation of contaminated evidence material should either be done under specific conditions or the material should be decontaminated. C. Forensic investigations on CBRN-E agents
A. Collecting evidence at crime scene B. Forensic Investigations on CBRN contaminated exhibits C. Forensic investigation on CBRN agents Operating procedures for CBRN contaminated CS (safety) Sampling B-agents Securing digital data under PPE conditions Transport C(BRN) contaminated exhibits Forensic Awareness CBRN-Front Office: Advice: working under PPE conditions - documentation CS - development and testing decontaminating agents - on site forensics on suspect related exhibits (3 D s) PPE training Contaminated Human Remains Disaster Victim Identification Farmacokinetics C-agents Tox-screening project Identification B-agents Cooperation program (NFI/ TNO) Inventory/protocols for forensics on R-contaminated exhibits Education program R-agents
Measure A a. Methods for safe operation at a crime scene that is contaminated with chemical, biological, radiologic or nucleair agents. b. Methods for searching, selecting, collecting of evidence material at a CBRN-E crime scene. Registration and packaging of traces and trace carriers. c. Being ready by practising with other emergency units d. Providing a knowledge network for CBRN-E.
Forensic Response at a CBRN crime scene Operational calamity team Forensic Decontamination Collecting traditional traces Technology Wireless Remote 3D Camera Forensic Helmet Thermic en multispectral cameras...
Response: more to develop Exploring methods for the crime scene - integrated robot 3D/IR/radiation/ On site laboratory methods - for DNA (human and non-human) - fingerprints - retrieving digital data - non-invasive detection of explosives
Measure B a. Developing methods to investigate (with CBRN-E agents) contaminated trace carriers and methods to sample classic forensic traces (such as fingerprints, DNA etc.). b. Identification methods for up to 500 victims in case of a CBRN-E attack by DNA-analysis and/or anthropological methods.
Traditonal Forensics: Disaster Victim Identification Identification of all Dutch and foreign victims within 3 weeks with the use of the DVI protocol and Bonaparte software! 9
Traditional Forensics : more to develop To be developed on items that can not be decontaminated Fingerprints (advanced laser technologies) Identification of chemicals (IR Raman) Investigation of cell phones Adapted DNA analysis on contaminated traces
Measure C isolation (extracting from a matrix) and/or identification of CBRN-E agents (in cooperation with TNO and RIVM) Screening of human tissue and environment samples on toxic substances (including possible chemical warfare agents) and when possible profiling these substances. Investigation methods to determine the origin and composition of the used agents (using new technologies for source determination e.g. genome analysis, developing reference databases, IRMS for bacteria traces and explosives)
Bio terrorism and forensics Collecting evidence Decontamination Micro array screening DNA sequencing Bio molecules (MS)
CBRN forensics: more to develop Profiling radiological agents Anion analysis in human tissue Toxins/Bio molecules by TOF-MS Precursors and metabolites of chemical agents
Innovation in Forensics Which forensic questions are asked? Are methods and technologies available? Constraints: - Scientific examination of evidence - Developing forensic technical standards (proven and validated) Technology driven: - Available technologies - Developed for the forensic domain? - Combining available technologies
Innovation management In company development National grant programs (Agentschap.NL) International programs (EU, FP7) Public Private Cooperation
Bringing knowledge together Public government agencies Knowledge centers understanding of each others work developing methods Private companies
Public Private Cooperation Cooperation between: - public governmental institutes - knowledge institutes, Universities - private commercial companies Product development: - defining new products - functional and technical specs - features and business case - Expected world wide developments - market expansion
Benefits of Public Private Cooperation Making existing technologies available for the forensic domain Combining existing technologies on a new platform Merging knowledge from different domains Risk reduction for participants Market expansion
Innovation in CBRN Forensics a Challenge Indeed but worthwhile in a public private cooperation environment
C-agents B-agents RN-agents explosives Thank you for your attention for information please contact e.van.zalen@nfi.minjus.nl Netherlands Forensic Institute