Effects of chemical & biological warfare agent decontaminants on trace survival: Impact on digital media.

Digital media are valuable assets for forensic investigations, offering essential data for reconstructing events and understanding activities. In scenarios where biological or chemical contaminants, such as hazardous pathogens or toxic chemicals, must be removed, it is important to understand how decontamination processes affect digital evidence. This study evaluates the impact on digital media of sixteen decontaminants, encompassing various chemical mechanisms and application methods, that could be used in mass decontamination scenarios.

Effects of chemical & biological warfare agent decontaminants on trace survival: Impact on DNA profiling from blood and saliva.

Forensic investigations following incidents involving chemical or biological agents present considerable challenges. Understanding the possibilities and limitations can aid in determining the most suitable procedures and enhancing the recovery of useful traces in these complex situations. This work complements previously published results on the effects of decontaminants on fingermarks deposited on glass.

Influence of Chlorinating Agents on the Formation of Stable Biomarkers in Hair for the Retrospective Verification of Exposure.

Chlorine, as a dual-use chemical, is an essential industrial chemical which has been used as a chemical weapon in the past due to its toxicity and availability. The retrospective verification of chlorine intoxication is often especially challenging, and unambiguous markers are still missing. In this study, the effects of different chlorinating and oxidizing agents on human hair were investigated.

Effects of chemical warfare agent decontaminants on trace survival: Impact on fingermarks deposited on glass.

Following a chemical incident involving chemical warfare agents or more broadly, chemical weapons, there are two possible approaches in dealing with the traditional forensic analysis of contaminated exhibits. The first is to analyze the contaminated items under safe conditions (i.e.

A Rapid, Highly Sensitive and Selective Phosgene Sensor Based on 5,6-Pinenepyridine.

The toxicity of phosgene (COCl ) combined with its extensive use as a reactant and building block in the chemical industry make its fast and accurate detection a prerequisite. We have developed a carboxylic derivative of 5,6-pinenepyridine which is able to act as colorimetric and fluorimetric sensor for phosgene in air and solution. For the first time, the formation of a pyrido-[2,1-a]isoindolone was used for this purpose.

Advice on assistance and protection provided by the Scientific Advisory Board of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons: Part 3. On medical care and treatment of injuries from sulfur mustard.

Blister agents damage the skin, eyes, mucous membranes and subcutaneous tissues. Other toxic effects may occur after absorption. The response of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to a request from the OPCW Director-General in 2013 on the status of medical countermeasures and treatments to blister agents is updated through the incorporation of the latest information.

Qualitative colorimetric analysis of a Ir(iii)/Eu(iii) dyad in the presence of chemical warfare agents and simulants on a paper matrix.

The addition of G- and V-series organophosphorus chemical warfare agents and simulants to a paper-based assay of a dual-luminescent Ir(iii)/Eu(iii) dyad generated different emissive responses between the classes and compound types. The emission responses are complex and based not only on altering the balance between red Eu(iii)-based and blue Ir(iii)-based luminescent components, but also incorporate other factors such as analyte volatility, concentration and UV absorption. The extent of this emission colour change was analysed colorimetrically and related to the change in RGB output over time.

Advice from the Scientific Advisory Board of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on riot control agents in connection to the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Compounds that cause powerful sensory irritation to humans were reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in response to requests in 2014 and 2017 by the OPCW Director-General to advise which riot control agents (RCAs) might be subject to declaration under the Chemical Weapons Convention (the "Convention"). The chemical and toxicological properties of 60 chemicals identified from a survey by the OPCW of RCAs that had been researched or were available for purchase, and additional chemicals recognised by the SAB as having potential RCA applications, were considered. Only 17 of the 60 chemicals met the definition of a RCA under the Convention.

Advice on chemical weapons sample stability and storage provided by the Scientific Advisory Board of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to increase investigative capabilities worldwide.

The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has provided advice on the long-term storage and stability of samples collected in the context of chemical weapons investigations. The information they compiled and reviewed is beneficial to all laboratories that carry out analysis of samples related to chemical warfare agents and is described herein. The preparation of this report was undertaken on request from the OPCW Director-General.

Synthesis of different glutathione-sulfur mustard adducts of verified and potential biomarkers.

Sulfur Mustard (SM) is a blistering agent used as a chemical weapon. Glutathione (GSH) is involved in the β-lyase degradation pathway of SM and recently, bioadducts between SM and GSH were observed . While these bioadducts have never been isolated from tests or real poisoning with SM, they could be of interest as potential future biomarkers for the retrospective validation of exposure.