Practical Crime Scene Investigations for Hot Zones

The work of Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) is made more complicated when the scene is contaminated by either Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNEs) or Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs). Special considerations must be observed when working at such scenes, whether they are the result of acts of terrorism, accidents, or natural disasters. Practical Crime Scene Investigations for Hot Zones contains guidelines and best practices for keeping CSIs safe and conducting a thorough crime scene investigation in these deadly environments.

A compilation of professional experiences and observations from CSIs who have encountered these challenges in the field, the book offers strategies for dealing with a host of scenarios. The expert contributors discuss practices and procedures validated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI’s Hazardous Materials Response Unit and Laboratory. Topics discussed include:

• Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats encountered by CSIs and other personnel
• Laws, regulations, and standards that apply to working in a hazardous environment
• Equipment for personal protection and evidence recovery
• Roles and responsibilities of personnel on the scene
• Collecting, processing, and documenting evidence
• Decontamination of the scene

High consequence events (HCEs) have increased in recent years as terrorism and natural disasters have dominated the headlines. Enhanced with nearly 300 color photos, this one-stop reference supplies practical information to keep CSIs, first responders, HAZMAT technicians, incident commanders, and military and intelligence officials safe from the hazards they may encounter on the job.

Jacqueline T. Fish currently serves as chair of the Criminal Justice Department and director of graduate studies in criminal justice at Charleston Southern University. Her career includes development oversight of the National Forensic Academy curriculum and seventeen years as a police officer in Knox County, Tennessee, where she invested the majority of her time as sergeant in charge of the Criminal Identification Division.

Robert N. Stout has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and hazardous materials. His law enforcement experience includes serving as sergeant for the Virginia State Police, deputy/paramedic for the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office, and in motor carrier safety/hazardous material team/environmental crimes investigations for the Virginia State Police.

Edward W. Wallace, Jr. served with the New York Police Department (NYPD) for more than 20 years and performed various law enforcement duties, including crime scene investigator and counter-terrorism investigator. Mr. Wallace held the coveted NYPD rank of Detective First Grade and spent 15 years in crime scene investigations, where he investigated numerous high profile crimes, including participating in the investigations of both World Trade Center attacks and the October 2001 anthrax attack. Mr. Wallace lead the development of the national curriculum of crime scene investigations for CBRNE/TICs for the National Center of Biomedical Research and Development at Louisiana State University and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.