Training of Law Enforcement and First Responders

Description

Advances in primary screening technologies (x-ray, CT, AIT) have allowed the detection and discrimination of bulk quantities of potentially dangerous compounds on people or in bags. However, a secondary screening method - typically based on trace detection - is still required for correct identification of the material and alarm resolution. This creates a scenario where the screener is now confronted with large amount of potentially hazardous material that must be sampled in a way that conforms to the trace detector’s performance parameters and does not pose a health risk to personnel. To address this concern NIST will develop, document, and disseminate protocols for safe handling and sampling of bulk materials. This includes investigating new sampling methods that limit exposure. NIST will also develop a platform for viewing of video content and supporting documentation that can accessed by the general public.

“An easy to implement approach for laboratories to visualize particle spread during the handling and analysis of drug evidence”, Edward Sisco, Matthew E. Staymates, and Amber Burns, Forensic Chemistry, 18, 100232 (2020).

“Pressure-sensitive sampling wands for homeland security applications”, ME Staymates, J Grandner, and  JR Verkouteren - IEEE Sensors Journal,13 (12), 4844-4850 (2013).