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Hot Zone Forensics
Reference: Drielak, Steven C. Hot Zone Forensics: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, Ltd.: Springfield, IL. 2004; 420 pages, ISBN: 0-398-07465-8, $65.95.
Since the emergence of fears of chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) terrorism, and especially since 9-11, we've seen street cops issued protective clothing ensembles, firerescue haz-mat teams trained to sample suspicious materials for lab analysis, and SWAT personnel train at tactical operations in airpacks and full protective clothing. One group is prominent by its omission from this planning - the criminalistic community. Much of this is due to a belief that this is a problem for the FBI, or that only haz-mat teams can work the scene. The truth is, a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) attack may well be the largest mass murder a jurisdiction may ever face, and all jurisdictions need to prepare to face the potential.
One investigator has looked at this and has offered a detailed guide to evidence...