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Chemical and Biological Sciences
Mission
The Chemical and Biological Sciences
Unit (CBSU) conducts and/or directs high-quality forensic examinations
of hazardous chemical, biological, and nuclear material and
all related evidence. This includes developing and validating
methods to analyze highly dangerous threat agents through an
extended network of government, academic, and private laboratories.
The CBSU also develops dedicated laboratory facilities and
protocols that can support the examination of contaminated
traditional evidence.
The Team
Special agents, biologists, chemists, examiners,
management and program analysts, microbiologists, and operations
research analysts
The Work
Biological exams
Conduct gene-based assays and examinations to trace biological pathogens and/or
agents
to their source—pathogens and agents like anthrax, smallpox, viruses, bacteria,
fungi, and plant, animal, and human toxins.
Biological R&D
Validate existing pathogen identification assays and develop and
evaluate novel molecular and genetic methods for characterizing biological
agents.
Chemistry exams
Perform analytical examinations to identify toxins, chemical agents, or trace
compounds in evidentiary material, including high-explosive bomb materials,
propellants,
fuels, toxic industrial, and other special chemicals. Toxin and chemical
agent identification are accomplished at off-site Partner Laboratories under
the direction of CBSU personnel.
Chemical R&D
Conduct method development and validation, focusing mainly on trace compound
identification
within evidentiary samples for attribution purposes.
Special team
Through examiners and technicians on the Hazardous Evidence Analysis Team (HEAT),
conduct
traditional forensic exams of contaminated evidence. These personnel have
received advanced training to work with hazardous evidence (chemical, biological,
and
radiological evidentiary materials) at off-site partner laboratories.
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