Canadian Participation in the 1998 NATO/Poland Chemical Warfare Agent Sampling Demonstration.
Abstract
Between 1-3 September 1998, Canada participated in two NATO Sampling and Identification of Chemical Agents (SICA) demonstrations. SICA teams from 9 NATO as well as a team from Poland participated in the demonstrations. The first demonstration was conducted using a chemical warfare (CW) simulant, while the second demonstration was conducted with the CW agent, mustard. The CW agent sampling demonstrations were valuable, not only from a scientific viewpoint, but also for raising the profile of SICA within the military. The sampling demonstrations afforded the NATO countries an opportunity to implement the lessons learned from the successful field trials held in France in 1997. Within the NATO context, the major issue arising from the sampling demonstrations was the collection of samples as legal evidence. The prime reason for the sampling and identification of biological and chemical agents is to confirm use by the enemy and thereby support timely decisions concerning the NATO response to such actions. Subsequently, NATO may decide to turn the evidence of a CB attack over to the legal system. In such cases, the sampling and identification process must be able to stand up under legal examination. Alternatively, if this information is required solely for the use of the military, then the requirements may be somewhat less rigorous.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA364858
Entities
People
- D. Marshall
- J. G. Nadeau
- J. R. Hancock
- R. Tremblay