European standard for hazardous incidents
In cooperation with 20 parties, the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) is going to develop a European forensics standard following an incident in which, presumably, chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials have been used.
The standard must be available for all countries within the European Union as from the summer of 2017. The NFI will have a coordinating role in the consortium, which is going to be engaged in the development of validated methods for the next three years. The NFI will also contribute know-how in the areas of conventional forensics and crime scene investigations.
The European Union has granted a subsidy of nearly 5.5 million Euros for the project. The parties themselves also financially contribute to it.
Incident
According to Ed van Zalen, project coordinator, a European standard is essential. "Fortunately, so-called CBRN incidents, such as terrorist attacks, hardly ever occur, if at all, in Europe. But when it happens, it is essential that any evidence be secured in a forensically responsible manner in order to establish the cause or find the perpetrators. A European standard helps."
Crime scene
The parties intend to further develop investigation and analysis methods - which can currently only be used in a secure laboratory environment - for use at a crime scene. Van Zalen thinks of, among other things, a mobile glove box which enables analysts to conduct their analysis in a secure way on site. In addition, the parties intend to develop new investigation and analysis methods.
Validation
The consortium subsequently wishes to validate the investigation and analysis methods in accordance with the highest European quality standards, so that any evidence obtained cannot be disproved in court. In addition to all this, the parties will develop a training programme. The project is expected to be completed before September 2017.
Consortium
The consortium consists of 21 parties, from nine different European countries. They are, in addition to the NFI, Tyndall University, TNO, RIVM, M2L, Falcon, Fera, AWE, STUK, FOI, SKL, Analyzed IQ, NICC, RMA, Space Applications, JRC-ITU, CEA, Eticas, RAMEM, LQC, and NanoBiz.