Hot Zone Forensics: Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Evidence Collection [Paperback]

Steven C. Drielak (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 420 pages
• Publisher: Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd; 1 edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0398074658
• ISBN-13: 978-0398074654
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,718,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Preparing the CSI for terrorism, July 10, 2004

By 

Paul R. Laska (Palm City, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hot Zone Forensics: Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Evidence Collection (Hardcover)

Until now, the criminalistic response to chemical, biological, or radiological terrorism has largely been ignored. Unfortunately, in this post O.J. world of investigations, anything short of a legally and scientifically firm approach to investigation could result in a terrorist - a mass murderer - avoiding criminal sanctions.

Steven C. Drielak has given criminalists a strong volume of guidance to approaching WMD scenes. Drielak, formerly an environmental investigator for Suffolk County, NY, and now with the EPA, has looked at the subject with the eye of an environmental investigator. Indeed, chemical, biological, and radiological incidents are hazardous materials cases, an oft visited field for the environmental investigator.

Drielak examined various protocols in use by EPA, OSHA, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Department of Energy. Recognizing that these protocols, while scientifically sound, are designed for regulatory inspections, he has added in aspects to address criminal evidential safeguards. Where these regulatory protocols use proper scientific sampling techniques, Drielak has added additional steps to provide documentable protections against contamination issues.

Hot Zone Forensics is not a light read. For each of the three potential types of evidence, Drielak addresses protocols for sampling liquids, solids, airborne materials, and off victims. Various techniques are described, to ensure legally defensible, scientifically efficient, and personally safe operations.

Included are a number of appendices. Most valuable to investigators is a list of precursors for chemical warfare agents. Although toxic industrial chemicals are readily available, the killing ability of chemical agents, especially nerve agents, makes their manufacture by technically proficient terrorists a strong potential. The ability to identify precursors and to differentiate chemical agent labs from clandestine drug labs will ensure the investigation begins on the correct track and is safely conducted.

Drielak also includes a glossary. Some terms have different meanings than in other applications. Additionally, terms are used which are not in the daily vocabulary of the criminalist, reflecting their source in regulatory, chemical, or biological fields.

Hot Zone Forensics provides a sound foundation for the criminalist or investigator who wishes to prepare - technically, skill-wise, or in equipment - for response to a WMD episode. Drielak has taken an area which, currently, is sloppily approached at best, and provided a strong framework for successful investigatory response.

5.0 out of 5 stars Preparing the CSI for terrorism, July 10, 2004

By 

Paul R. Laska (Palm City, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hot Zone Forensics: Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Evidence Collection (Hardcover)

Until now, the criminalistic response to chemical, biological, or radiological terrorism has largely been ignored. Unfortunately, in this post O.J. world of investigations, anything short of a legally and scientifically firm approach to investigation could result in a terrorist - a mass murderer - avoiding criminal sanctions.

Steven C. Drielak has given criminalists a strong volume of guidance to approaching WMD scenes. Drielak, formerly an environmental investigator for Suffolk County, NY, and now with the EPA, has looked at the subject with the eye of an environmental investigator. Indeed, chemical, biological, and radiological incidents are hazardous materials cases, an oft visited field for the environmental investigator.

Drielak examined various protocols in use by EPA, OSHA, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Department of Energy. Recognizing that these protocols, while scientifically sound, are designed for regulatory inspections, he has added in aspects to address criminal evidential safeguards. Where these regulatory protocols use proper scientific sampling techniques, Drielak has added additional steps to provide documentable protections against contamination issues.

Hot Zone Forensics is not a light read. For each of the three potential types of evidence, Drielak addresses protocols for sampling liquids, solids, airborne materials, and off victims. Various techniques are described, to ensure legally defensible, scientifically efficient, and personally safe operations.

Included are a number of appendices. Most valuable to investigators is a list of precursors for chemical warfare agents. Although toxic industrial chemicals are readily available, the killing ability of chemical agents, especially nerve agents, makes their manufacture by technically proficient terrorists a strong potential. The ability to identify precursors and to differentiate chemical agent labs from clandestine drug labs will ensure the investigation begins on the correct track and is safely conducted.

Drielak also includes a glossary. Some terms have different meanings than in other applications. Additionally, terms are used which are not in the daily vocabulary of the criminalist, reflecting their source in regulatory, chemical, or biological fields.

Hot Zone Forensics provides a sound foundation for the criminalist or investigator who wishes to prepare - technically, skill-wise, or in equipment - for response to a WMD episode. Drielak has taken an area which, currently, is sloppily approached at best, and provided a strong framework for successful investigatory response.