1. Hazardous Materials Incidents by Chris Hawley
CHAPTER 8: HAZMAT and Law Enforcement

2. Chapter 8: Overview Introduction
Common HAZMAT incidents for law enforcement
Clandestine labs
Explosives incidents
SWAT operations
Evidence collection
Summary

3. Author Note
Even though this section is labeled law enforcement, it applies to all emergency responders.
This unit should be taught to all responders as the situations discussed here are crimes, but usually involve the other response agencies.

4. Common Situations for Chemical Exposure
Blood-borne pathogen situations
Shootings, stabbings
Blood, saliva, and urine
Disease exposure
Drugs
Exposure to drugs (evidence)
Huffing situations

5. Clandestine Labs Common types of labs
Drug labs
Explosives labs
Chemical weapon labs
Biological weapon labs
All labs have inherent dangers, not to mention the two-legged threat.

6. Drug Labs Drug labs can be found anywhere.
Homes, hotels, storage units
Rental trucks, barns, buildings
Methamphetamine is the most common.
In 2002, more than 12,175 labs were raided.
Meth labs and other drug labs are very dangerous operations.

7. Labs Moving Eastward

8. Explosives Labs Not common Usually a hobbyist
Fireworks
Bomb squad should always investigate
Retreat and wait for bomb technician

9. Terrorism Agent Labs Least likely to be encountered
Most probable would be a biological toxin
Ricin lab or manufacturing

10. Chemical Agent Labs Chemical agent labs Two types Chemistry setup
Manufacturing
Condensing

11. Biological Agents Labs
Biology lab equipment
Petri dishes
Incubator

12. Explosives Incidents Are much like HAZMAT incidents
Require special PPE
Require isolation and evacuation
Require special training and equipment

13. SWAT Operations Gathering of intelligence is very important.
Chemical information valuable.
Greatest threat from gun shots
Chemical threat
Adds to the planning process
May add additional PPE
Adds decontamination considerations

14. Chemicals and SWAT
SWAT operators should not get off target thinking about the chemical risk.
Focus should be on apprehending the criminal.
Training with specialized equipment is very important.
Protective equipment should protect against primary hazard.

15. SWAT Setup Air monitors should be used.
Avoid breaching charges or flash bangs in potentially flammable situations.
SWAT operator and prisoner decon should be thought out and prepared.

16. Evidence Collection (1 of 2)
Evidence collection is not time-dependent and can often wait.
Remove the hazard from the crime scene.
Everyone operating in the crime scene must have HAZMAT training.

17. Evidence Collection (2 of 2)
Chain of custody issues with HAZMAT
Decontamination
Evidence collection a specialized field
Rules of evidence apply
Special equipment required
May need additional personnel

18. Summary Common HAZMAT incidents for law enforcement Clandestine labs
Explosives incidents
SWAT operations
Evidence collection