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Operational deployment on the CBRNe crime scene

With an emergency team ready for deployment 24/7 to anywhere in the world, the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) can provide immediate assistance and advice in the event of an incident involving toxic chemicals, biological agents, radioactive materials or nuclear devices (including where conventional explosives are involved).

The NFI Emergency Team for CBRNe incidents

The NFI CBRNe Emergency Team consists of expert investigators, both in the field and behind the scenes:

  • Well-trained investigators to cover the entire crime scene and undertake both ‘dirty’ work (in close proximity to the agent) and ‘clean’ work(in an uncontaminated area)
  • An observer to oversee and monitor the activities of the investigators on site
  • A forensic adviser to liaise between NFI investigators and the police or prosecutor’s office
  • NFI forensic experts continuously on call to advise on technical matters
  • A safety consultant to secure the safety of investigators, logistics and technical staff, conduct a risk assessment and advise on the use of personal protection equipment or specific tools
  • An experienced Back Office to mobilise and coordinate all the resources available at the NFI headquarters as and when required.

Developing procedures, protocols and strategies

In an emergency situation, speed is of the essence. All possible scenarios need to have been thought through, prepared for and rehearsed well in advance. The NFI is therefore continuously working to define and improve procedures, protocols and strategies to guide the activities of the Emergency Team in the field. This includes:

  • Defining appropriate responses to different situations
  • Working out strategies for collecting samples while wearing personal protection equipment or using specific devices
  • Developing procedures for collecting and packaging samples for transport and analysis
  • Finding ways of decontaminating materials so that samples can be taken for evidence
  • Drawing up protocols to guide cooperation with third-parties (e.g., first-responders, law enforcement and public health authorities)

Awareness and capability training

Through the NFI Academy, the NFI provides appropriate training at various levels. This may range from raising the awareness of first-responders to what can be involved in CBRNe situations, to developing specific expertise on the part of national CBRNe forensic investigators.