NFI and FBI join forces in combating chemical and biological terrorism
The fight against terrorism is global. In order to be able to detect and investigate chemical and biological terrorism in time, subject matter experts from a dozen countries met at The Hague for a symposium this week, hosted by the Netherlands Forensic Institute and FBI.
On the basis of different scenarios, the participants shared procedures, protocols, methods of analysis, and investigation techniques and sought further possibilities to realise an international network and exchange of knowledge.
The symposium was offered by the deputy mayor and alderman of international affairs Frits Huffnagel of the city of The Hague, city of peace and justice.
Challenges in a CBRN crime scene
The symposium participants discussed the challenges of conducting traditional forensic applications, such as fingerprints and detection of explosives, in a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) crime scene. This is complicated by the presence of a hazardous chemical or biological agent.
Building on the leadership and experience of the NFI and FBI, participants enhanced relationships and possibilities for technical and information exchange related to forensics in a CBRN environment.
With the combination of traditional forensic applications and powerful new techniques as DNA, profiling and digital evidence from chips and data traffic, it is possible to capture CBRN perpetrators and possibly to prevent new offences from being committed.
The conference is the first step in further international cooperation in the field of forensic CBRN and instilled a renewed spirit of purpose and cooperation to fight the international threat.
Bi-lateral efforts
Recognizing the increased strengths of the bi-lateral efforts of the US government and the Netherlands, culminated in this international symposium. The Netherlands affirmed their global leadership by hosting the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism in June in The Hague. The NFI already advocated an international alliance and international exchange of knowledge in nuclear forensic investigation methods, techniques and databases at this initiative.
Specialty Units from the FBI laboratory and Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate participated in planning for the symposium program. These specialty FBI units anchor the United States' response to terrorism incidents involving CBRN / WMD. The subject matter experts discussed their experiences regarding CBRN crime scene processing, evidentiary identification and collection, and ultimately forensic analysis. All the participating countries shared the common goal of using knowledge and techniques to detect, deter, and prevent CBRN incidents from occurring.
CBRN Programme
In the Netherlands, the NFI is one of the initiators of the programme to combat Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear terrorism (CBRN). The implementation of this programme is coordinated by the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism (NCTb). One of the results is the completion of the NFI Field Lab in 2010, which will be used, inter alia, for large-scale CBRN exercises.