TSWG/NCTC CBRNE Publications and
Training Materials
These CBRE training materials were developed by the Technical Support Working Group and the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) to help law enforcement, border security, and other government personnel become familiar with and recognize CBR materials and indicators of their production, weaponization, transport, and use. The publications listed below were produced by the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC).
Individual copies of the publications listed below are available at no charge to federal, state, and local officials who feel they would benefit from this information. To request a publication, send an email to CBRNEtraining@battelle.org with your name, organization, street address (no P.O. Boxes), and telephone number, along with a brief sentence of what your job is and how this information can help. Home or business addresses are acceptable. Anyone interested in large quantities should contact the National Counterterrorism Center at cbrn@nctc.gov. Large quantities are typically provided to support training programs that include CBRN counterterrorism topics.
CB Production Equipment Handbook
The CB Production Equipment Handbook discusses the general methods and equipment used to produce many chemical and biological materials. In addition to laboratory and industrial equipment, the manual includes examples of improvised equipment that may be used by terrorists. This product was developed through a collaborative effort by TSWG and NCTC.
CBR Personal Protective Equipment Handbook
The CBR Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Handbook describes common PPE that might be used when producing, transporting, or using CBR materials. The presence of PPE is one possible indicator of CBR activity. This product was developed through a collaborative effort by TSWG and NCTC.
CBR Training VHS / DVD Series
The CBR Training VHS / DVD Series is a collection of three CBR training videos provided in both VHS and DVD formats. The introductory video presents a general overview of the CBR threat, paints a big picture of aspects involved in preventing CBR activity, and provides interviewing and screening techniques as well as tools to help security personnel recognize indicators of CBR smuggling. The production video illustrates the methods and types of equipment that would likely be used to produce CBR materials, while the weaponization and dissemination video examines possible methods of refining and dispersing CBR materials. These products were developed through a collaborative effort by TSWG and NCTC.
CBRNE Picture Flipchart
The CBRNE Flipchart is a collection of over 100 CBRNE-related images. The pictures provide a mechanism for security, border control, law enforcement, and other government personnel to visually identify materials, equipment, devices, and potential CBRNE terrorism activity.
CBR Reference Toolkit
The CBR Reference Toolkit is a CD-ROM based compilation of existing training aids with a navigational graphical user interface. The toolkit includes background information on CBR materials and the following training aids: CBR Incident Handbook, Guide to Weapons Indicators, Biological Agent Characteristics Database, Vehicle and Small Watercraft Inspection Checklists, and electronic versions of the aforementioned CBR Materials Training Handbook, CB Production Equipment Handbook, CBR Personal Protective Equipment Handbook, and CBR Picture Flipchart. The minimum system requirements for this tool are: CD-ROM drive; Windows 95 or later; Pentium processor or compatible; Monitor 1024x768 resolution. This product was developed through a collaborative effort by TSWG and NCTC.
CBR Materials Comprehensive Training Handbook
The Comprehensive CBR Materials Training Handbook is an updated version of the original CBR Materials Training Handbook that was published in 2002. This updated version provides a general background as well as specific information on the appearances, odors, commercial uses, and medical effects of the Comprehensive CBR materials Simulant Kit. The handbook notes the variability that exists between low and high purity materials, but focuses on low purity or crude materials, which are more likely to be within terrorist production capabilities. This product was developed in tandem with the Comprehensive CBR Simulant Training Kit and was funded by NCTC.
CBRN Terrorism Requirements Guide
The CBRN Terrorism Requirements Guide is a pocket-size guide for identifying potential CBRN terrorists or terrorist activities. Printed on waterproof, tearproof paper, it includes a series of questions that one could ask of someone who claims to have seen some potentially CBRN-related activity to solicit additional useful information. This product was developed through a collaborative effort by TSWG and NCTC.