German Criminal Police Office

About: German Criminal Police Office is a government organization based out in Wiesbaden, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Mass spectrometry. The organization has 254 authors who have published 338 publications receiving 8489 citations.

The Application of Analytical Methods to the Detection of Hidden Explosives and Explosive Devices

Abstract: The detection of hidden explosives has undergone an enormous development due to an increased desire for safety and the increased terrorist attacks in the last few years. This development was made possible in particular by the rapid advances in the development of powerful analytical techniques in general. These technologies, however, must be specially adapted for the problems of explosives detection. These problems encompass, for example, the large variety of different explosives, the camouflage of explosive devices, and the complexity of the composition of suspicious objects. Frequent air-travelers have most certainly already been confronted with a so-called explosives detection apparatus. Baggage controls at airports are a very important and well-known example of the application of detection technologies. This example also serves to demonstrate the high technological requirements, such as the variability of the object to be examined and a control procedure for a sealed object that must be completed with high reliability in a short period of time. The search for explosive devices or weapons cannot, however, be limited to the recognition of an external appearance with the help of X-ray imaging. These days, explosive devices, in particular, can readily be installed and hidden in objects of daily life by the use of tiny electric and electronic elements. Therefore, in addition to the application of X-ray imaging, the use of other technologies becomes necessary. The following article describes and discusses methods and scientific limits of explosives detection under the precondition of possible use at security checkpoints. For corrigendum see DOI:10.1002/anie.199713711

A Parameter Study Regarding the IBIS™ Correlator

Abstract: The electronic system IBIS has been used by numerous agencies worldwide as the standard tool to compare firearm markings on bullets and fired cartridges. There is a general interest among users concerning the likelihood with which the IBIS correlator may locate hits in its databases. Test results of the performance under different test conditions have been published in various papers. Experience has also been gained with the IBIS system from years of practical usage. All of these findings are difficult to compare with each other. No systematic presentation exists that actually shows the parameters upon which the success rate of the IBIS correlator depends. There has also been no mention of what values these parameters take on during each test. This paper first generally defines the success and error rates of the IBIS correlator. The parameters used will be discussed. Results of previously published tests will be re-examined based on this methodology. An illustrative form of presentation for the success rate of an electronic comparison system will also be suggested. It will be shown that the success rate of the IBIS correlator highly depends on the quality of the firearms-generated markings. It increases with the number of considered mark types, the number of available signatures per firearm, and the number of items inspected in the hit list. The success rate decreases with the database size. The paper will conclude with a series of practical recommendations for the setting up and successful operation of an electronic collection of ballistic evidence.

Glossary of methods and terms used in analytical spectroscopy (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)

Abstract: Recommendations are given concerning the terminology of concepts and methods used in spectroscopy in analytical chemistry, covering nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, atomic spectroscopy, and vibrational spectroscopy.

Identifizierungstätigkeit bei Massenunfällen und Katastrophen

Abstract: Die Identifizierung von Opfern eines Massenunfalls oder einer Katastrophe stellt nach wie vor fur alle Beteiligten eine grose Herausforderung dar. Zum einen erfordert die Identifizierungsarbeit je nach Art der Katastrophe eine adaptierte Herangehensweise, zum anderen besteht immer ein auserordentlicher offentlicher Druck zur schnellen Identifizierung der vermissten Angehorigen. Die internationale Kooperation im Rahmen der Opferidentifizierung des Tsunamis 2004 hat auf diesem Gebiet erstmals gezeigt, unter welchen Voraussetzungen diese erfolgreich durchgefuhrt werden kann. Dies hat u. a. dazu gefuhrt, dass die internationale Zusammenarbeit auf verschiedenen Ebenen intensiviert wurde. Das ist erforderlich, damit grundlegende Standards in jedem beteiligten Land fur die Identifizierungsarbeit vorhanden sind. Die Identifizierungskommission (IDKO) des Bundeskriminalamtes (BKA) hat dabei in den letzten Jahren unter Mitarbeit von Rechtsmedizin, forensischer Odontostomatologie und forensischer Molekulargenetik im internationalen Masstab aktiv mitgewirkt. Uber die in Deutschland etablierten Standards und Weiterbildungsmoglichkeiten auf diesem Gebiet wird im Folgenden berichtet.