In a world where threats are continuously changing, the Laboratory is working diligently to help the nation prevent and mitigate catastrophic incidents arising from biological, chemical, radiological or high explosive materials. The Laboratory provides unparalleled expertise in threat and risk assessment, detection of threat materials, understanding and mitigating the consequences of attacks, forensic analysis and much more. The Laboratory provides a major component to the nation's defenses against the catastrophic threat posed by the malicious use of weapons of mass destruction.