Module 4

CBRN Tactics and Techniques

FRTI 1
 Module Objective
 By the end of this module, you will be able to
explain the use of chemical, biological,
radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials in
terrorist attacks

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 2

 Module Preview
 What is a chemical material?
 What is a radiological material?
 What is an example of a tactic that terrorists
use involving CBRN materials?
 What are two examples of the effects of a
CBRN release?

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 3

 Threat of CBRN Materials
 The threat of any
chemical, biological,
radiological, or nuclear
material released into
the community
Source: Wikicommons.org

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 4

 Chemical Materials
 Any solid, liquid, or gas
that creates:
• Contact hazards
• Blister agents
• Persistent nerve agents
• Acids
• Respiratory hazards
• Choking agents
• Blood agents Source: Wikicommons.org

• Toxic industrial chemicals

and materials
• Non-persistent nerve
agents

Source: Wikicommons.org

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 5

 Toxic Industrial Chemicals and Materials
 Manufactured for use in
industrial, commercial, or
medical fields
 Support day-to-day
community infrastructure
 Can be used as terrorist
weapons Source: c3.thejournal.ie

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 6

 Discussion Question
 As a large group, discuss:
• What are some common toxic industrial chemicals
and materials in your community that terrorists can
use as weapons?

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 7

 Common Toxic Industrial Refer to:
Addendum 4.1
Chemicals and Materials
 Ammonia – fertilizer,
disinfectants
 Chlorine – water
purification
 Hydrogen cyanide –
pesticides, plastics
 Sulfuric acid –
batteries,
Source: govbooktalk.gpo.gov
steelmaking,
detergents

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 8

 Biological Materials
 Viruses, bacteria, or toxins that cause illness
or death
 Risk of bioterrorism
• Delayed detection
• Potential for high number of casualties
 Dormant until conditions are appropriate for
infection Source: Wikicommons.org

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 9

 Refer to:
Common Biological Materials Addendum 4.2

Source: Wikipedia.org

 Anthrax
 Smallpox
 Ebola
 E coli
 Ricin
 Nipah virus

Source: Wikipedia.org

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 10

 Discussion Question
 As a large group, discuss:
• What are some common biological materials in your
community that terrorists can use as weapons?

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 11

 Radiological Materials (1 of 2)
 Categories
• Non-ionizing – low energy (e.g., light or radio waves)
• Ionizing – causes cell damage or death (e.g.,
radioactive materials)

Source: Wikicommons.org

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 12

 Radiological Materials (2 of 2)
 Types:
• Alpha particles – least
amount of energy and
easily shielded
• Beta particles – moderate
amount of energy and
blocked by solid objects
• Gamma rays – most
amount of energy and
not easily shielded
Source: Wikicommons.org

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 13

 Discussion Question
 As a large group, discuss:
• What are some common radiological materials in
your community that terrorists can use as a weapon?

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 14

 Common Radiological Materials
 Cesium
 Cobalt
 Iridium
 Americium
 Uranium
 Plutonium
Source: Wikicommons.org

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 Nuclear Materials
 Uranium-233 or uranium-235, enriched
uranium, or plutonium
 Expose victims to radiation across a large
distance in the event of a nuclear explosion
 Used by terrorists to create an improvised
radiological dispersion device
Source: techandinnovationdaily.com

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 General CBRN Indicators
 Laboratory equipment
(e.g., drug lab)
 Personal protective
equipment
 Labels/packaging Source: Wikicommons.org

 Unusual scents
 Chemicals
 Containers
 Abnormal security
measures Source: europol.europa.eug

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 17

 Chemical Incident Indicators
 Unusual odors
 Large cloud of smoke
 Large numbers of
people experiencing
respiratory problems
 Unusual changes in
the environment
Source: http://www.touregypt.net/

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 Biological Incident Indicators
 Aerosols
 Liquid droplets or dry powder
 Mysterious illness

Source: Ready.gov

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 19

 Radiological/Nuclear Incident Indicators
 Glowing or heat emitting materials
 Radiation symbols
 Bright flash
 Large explosion
 High winds
 Mushroom-shaped cloud

Source: wordpress.com

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 Discussion Questions
 As a large group, discuss:
• Do terrorist groups in your country have the
capability to use CBRN materials as a weapon?
• What type of tactics can they use to conduct an
attack?

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 21

 CBRN Tactics and Techniques
 Explosives
 Aerial spray
 Heating, ventilation,
and cooling systems Source: Wikicommons.org

 Sabotage
 Food and water
systems

Source: Wikicommons.org

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 22

 Exposure vs. Contamination
 Contamination is the presence of a hazardous
CBRN material that poses harm to life, property,
or the environment
 Exposure does not necessarily mean
contamination
 Secondary contamination is the transfer of a
CBRN material by contaminated people or
equipment

Source: Wikicommons.org

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 23

 Routes of Contamination
Source: Wikicommons.org

 Inhalation
 Ingestion
 Absorption
 Injection and
puncturing Source: Wikipedia.org

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 24

 Signs and Symptoms of
Chemical Materials
 Dead animals and scarcity of insect life
 Multiple victims experiencing similar
symptoms within a confined geographic area
 Respiratory problems
 Skin blisters or rashes
 Eye irritation

Source: homelandsecuritynewswire.com

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 25

 Signs and Symptoms of
Biological Materials
 Flu-like illness, fever,
and confusion
 Respiratory problems
 Headache
 Skin rash or lesions
 Chest and muscle pain
 Vomiting
 Surge in patients with
similar symptoms
Source: Wikicommons.org

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 26

 Signs and Symptoms of
Radiological/Nuclear Materials
 Burns, vomiting,
diarrhea, hair loss,
headache, fatigue,
and dizziness

Source: Wikicommons.org

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 27

 Click on:
Effects of a CBRN Release Tokyo Subway
Attack Video

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 Terrorist Tactics and Techniques Refer to:
Addendum 4.3
Activity
 Working within your team:
• Divide into three groups
• Given your group’s assigned target and attack
weapon, describe the tactics and techniques you
would use to conduct an attack
• Answer the discussion questions
• Be prepared to share your responses

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 29

 Knowledge Review
 What is a chemical material?
 What is a radiological material?
 What is an example of a tactic that terrorists
use involving CBRN materials?
 What are two examples of the effects of a
CBRN release?

FRTI Module 4: CBRN Tactics and Techniques 30

 Refer to:
Module Summary Addendum 4.4

 Definition of CBRN materials

 CBRN indicators
 CBRN tactics and techniques
 Effects of a CBRN release

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