15.5 Radiation Safety at the Crime Scene(s)
181
items and areas should not be decontaminated until the contamination has
been properly characterized.
– In addition, evidence found at the site should not be decontaminated until all
forensic evidence (e.g. contamination distribution patterns, nuclide(s) present,
etc.) has been noted and recorded.
– Evidence that is bagged for removal from the site should be double-bagged and
labeled as contaminated, preferably using the radiation trefoil, to alert workers
at the forensics laboratory to take appropriate precautions.
– Otherwise, all normal evidence collection, documentation, and transportation protocols should be performed in accordance with normal departmental
policies.
– Reduce exposure from high-activity sources by placing them into shields,
placing portable shielding around them, or removing them from the area(s)
being surveyed after photographing them to record their location, appearance,
and condition as they were found.
• Dose management
– If radiation dose rates in the Hot Zone are in excess of 250 µGy hr
−1 the person
in charge at the scene should consider assigning stay times to all personnel
entering the Hot Zone.
– All persons issued self-reading (active) dosimeters should be reminded to
monitor them periodically and to report their readings to the person in charge
at the scene and/or the Health and Safety Officer.
As noted above, all personnel at the scene need to keep the radiological risks in
perspective, given the potential threats posed by hazardous chemicals, explosives,
toxic fumes and vapors, flammable substances, and more. Those working at these
locations cannot pay so much attention to radiological issues that they fall prey to
these other, often more substantial hazards.
References
1. American National Standards Institute (2013) Data format standard for radiation detectors used
for homeland security (Standard N42.42). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New
Jersey
2. Government of India (2009) Mumbai terrorist attacks (November 26–29, 2008), Dossier
presented to the Government of Pakistan. 2009. https://fas.org/irp/eprint/mumbai.pdf. Accessed
19 Nov 2020
3. Harper F, Musolino S, Wente W (2007) Realistic radiological radiological dispersal device
hazard boundaries and ramifications for early consequence management decisions. Health
Phys 93(1):1–16
4. Jackson B, Baker J, Ridgely M, Bartis J, Linn H (2004) Protecting emergency responders, vol
3. Safety Management in Disaster and Terrorism Response. RAND, Santa Monica CA
181
items and areas should not be decontaminated until the contamination has
been properly characterized.
– In addition, evidence found at the site should not be decontaminated until all
forensic evidence (e.g. contamination distribution patterns, nuclide(s) present,
etc.) has been noted and recorded.
– Evidence that is bagged for removal from the site should be double-bagged and
labeled as contaminated, preferably using the radiation trefoil, to alert workers
at the forensics laboratory to take appropriate precautions.
– Otherwise, all normal evidence collection, documentation, and transportation protocols should be performed in accordance with normal departmental
policies.
– Reduce exposure from high-activity sources by placing them into shields,
placing portable shielding around them, or removing them from the area(s)
being surveyed after photographing them to record their location, appearance,
and condition as they were found.
• Dose management
– If radiation dose rates in the Hot Zone are in excess of 250 µGy hr
−1 the person
in charge at the scene should consider assigning stay times to all personnel
entering the Hot Zone.
– All persons issued self-reading (active) dosimeters should be reminded to
monitor them periodically and to report their readings to the person in charge
at the scene and/or the Health and Safety Officer.
As noted above, all personnel at the scene need to keep the radiological risks in
perspective, given the potential threats posed by hazardous chemicals, explosives,
toxic fumes and vapors, flammable substances, and more. Those working at these
locations cannot pay so much attention to radiological issues that they fall prey to
these other, often more substantial hazards.
References
1. American National Standards Institute (2013) Data format standard for radiation detectors used
for homeland security (Standard N42.42). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New
Jersey
2. Government of India (2009) Mumbai terrorist attacks (November 26–29, 2008), Dossier
presented to the Government of Pakistan. 2009. https://fas.org/irp/eprint/mumbai.pdf. Accessed
19 Nov 2020
3. Harper F, Musolino S, Wente W (2007) Realistic radiological radiological dispersal device
hazard boundaries and ramifications for early consequence management decisions. Health
Phys 93(1):1–16
4. Jackson B, Baker J, Ridgely M, Bartis J, Linn H (2004) Protecting emergency responders, vol
3. Safety Management in Disaster and Terrorism Response. RAND, Santa Monica CA