A Literature Review on Evidence Collection and Sample Management Processes in CBRN Incidents

Öz

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents are recognized as complex situations that require specialized forensic expertise due to their high-risk nature and multidimensional impact. This study reviews current practices, international guidelines and scientific findings regarding evidence collection and sample management at CBRN scenes. The literature indicates that ensuring scene safety, preventing contamination, maintaining the continuity of the chain of custody, and conducting laboratory analyses in accordance with international standards are essential for the forensic validity of the collected evidence. The effectiveness of sampling methods and levels of personal protective equipment used for biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear materials is also examined. Overall, the review highlights that institutional coordination gaps, disparities in laboratory capacity and shortages of trained personnel constitute major challenges in managing CBRN incidents. The findings emphasize the need for trained professionals, standardized procedures, integrated laboratory networks and regular exercises to establish a sustainable and effective CBRN evidence management system.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• CBRN Incidents
• Evidence Collection
• Sample Management
• Chain of Custody

KBRN Olaylarında Delil Toplama ve Numune Yönetimi Süreçleri Üzerine Literatür İncelemesi

Öz

Kimyasal, Biyolojik, Radyolojik ve Nükleer (KBRN) olaylar, yüksek risk düzeyleri ve çok yönlü etkileri nedeniyle adli süreçlerde özel uzmanlık gerektiren karmaşık durumlar olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Bu çalışmada, KBRN sahalarında delil toplama ve numune yönetimine ilişkin güncel uygulamalar, uluslararası rehberler ve bilimsel çalışmalar ışığında incelenmiştir. Literatürde yer alan bulgular, olay yeri güvenliğinin sağlanması, kontaminasyonun önlenmesi, zincirleme delil güvenliğinin korunması ve laboratuvar analiz süreçlerinin uluslararası standartlara uygun yürütülmesinin adli geçerlilik açısından kritik olduğunu göstermektedir. Biyolojik, kimyasal, radyolojik ve nükleer numunelerin toplanması ve taşınmasında kullanılan yöntemler ile koruyucu ekipman seviyelerinin sahadaki etkinliği ayrıca değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışma genel olarak, kurumlar arası koordinasyon eksikliği, laboratuvar altyapılarındaki eşitsizlikler ve uzman personel yetersizliğinin KBRN vakalarının yönetiminde öne çıkan sorunlar olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Elde edilen sonuçlar, sürdürülebilir bir KBRN yönetim sistemi için eğitimli personel, standartlaştırılmış protokoller, uluslararası laboratuvar ağları ve düzenli tatbikatların gerekliliğini vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• KBRN Olayları
• Delil Toplama
• Numune Yönetimi
• Zincirleme Delil Güvenliği

Kaynakça

1. Balbudhe, M. S., Mahajan, A. A., Dama, S. M., & Bhowate, R. R. (2025). Crime scene reconstruction: A scoping review. Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 15, 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-025-00495-5
2. Comfort, L. K. (2007). Crisis management in hindsight: Cognition, communication, coordination, and control. Public Administration Review, 67(s1), 189–197. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6210.2007.00827.x
3. Dunworth, T. (2022). The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). In S. D. Murphy (Ed.), Research handbook on international arms control law (pp. 530–543). Edward Elgar Publishing.
4. European Commission. (2017). Action plan to enhance preparedness against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear security risks (COM(2017) 610 final). EUR-Lex. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52017DC0610
5. Ganesan, K., Raza, S. K., & Vijayaraghavan, R. (2010). Chemical warfare agents. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 2(3), 166–178. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-7406.68498
6. Gorniak, L., Cichoń, N., Stela, M., Niemcewicz, M., Podogrocki, M., Siadkowski, A., Ceremuga, M., & Bijak, M. (2025). A practical classification approach for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) hazards based on toxicological and situational parameters. Applied Sciences, 15(19), Article 10421. https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910421
7. Houck, M. M. (Ed.). (2016). Forensic fingerprints. Academic Press. Houck, M.M., Siegel, J.A. (2015). Friction ridge examination. In: Houck MM, Siegel JA (eds) Fundamentals of forensic science. Elsevier Ltd, San Diego, pp 493–518.
8. International Air Transport Association. (2024). Dangerous goods regulations (65th ed.). IATA. International Atomic Energy Agency. (2018). Regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material (IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSR-6 [Rev. 1]). IAEA. https://doi.org/10.61092/iaea.ur52-my9o

9. International Criminal Court. (1998). Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/RS-Eng.pdf
10. International Organization for Standardization. (2017). ISO/IEC 17025: General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. ISO.
11. International Organization for Standardization. (2019). ISO 35001: Biorisk management for laboratories and related organizations. ISO.
12. Khan, A. S., Levitt, A. M., Sage, M. J., & Green, J. (2000). Biological and chemical terrorism: Strategic plan for preparedness and response. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 49(RR-4), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:5692
13. NATO. (2022). NATO’s chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defence policy. https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2022/06/14/natos-chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-cbrn-defence-policy
14. NATO Standardization Office. (2024). STANAG 4632: CBRN forensic sampling and evidence handling. NATO. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. (1997). Convention on the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and on their destruction (Chemical Weapons Convention). https://www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. (2019). Guidelines for the analysis of chemical warfare agents. OPCW.
15. Plamboeck, A. H., Stöven, S., Duarte Davidson, R., Fykse, E.-M., Griffiths, M., Nieuwenhuizen, M., Rivier, C., & van der Schans, M. (2016). Laboratory analysis of CBRN-substances: Stakeholder networks as clue to higher CBRN resilience in Europe. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 85, 2–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2016.03.006
16. Ribaux, O., Walsh, S. J., & Margot, P. (2006). The contribution of forensic science to crime analysis and investigation: Forensic intelligence. Forensic Science International, 156(2–3), 171–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.12.028
17. Saferstein, R. (2018). Criminalistics: An introduction to forensic science (12th ed.). Pearson. United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute. (2022). A prosecutor’s guide to chemical and biological crimes. UNICRI. https://unicri.org/Publication/Prosecutor-Guide-Chemical-Biological-Crimes World Health Organization. (2020). Laboratory biosafety manual (4th ed.). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240011311