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Article: Chemical and Biological Detection Technologies
- Article from:
- World of Forensic Science
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Thomson Gale. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Chemical and Biological Detection Technologies
A well-recognized national security issue is the detection of chemicals and either biological agents or their components (i.e.,
toxins
). For example, the inability to rapidly inspect mailed letters for the presence of
anthrax spores
provided a route for the targeting of the mail with infectious microorganisms in the United States in 2001. This demonstration has spurred development of more sophisticated, accurate, and rapid detection technologies. Aside from national security concerns, detection of chemical and biological compounds is important in a forensic investigation.
X-ray examination has long been of value in scanning luggage at ...