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BASEL CONVENTIONTRAINING MANUAL ON ILLEGAL TRAFFICFOR CUSTOMS AND ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

BASEL CONVENTIONTRAINING MANUAL ON ILLEGAL TRAFFIC

INTRODUCTION 5

GLOSSARY 6 1 ENFORCEMENTANDTHEBASELCONVENTION 7 2SCOPEOFTHECONVENTION 9 3 BASELRULESFROMSTARTTOFINISH 12 4 ILLEGALTRAFFIC 18 5 COOPERATION 22 6 RESPONSESTOASUSPECT HAZARDOUSWASTESHIPMENT 24 7 MODELINVESTIGATIONINTO ILLEGALTRAFFICOFHAZARDOUSWASTES 28

OTHERINFORMATION 42

TRAINING MANUAL ON ILLEGAL TRAFFIC

5

What is the purpose of this manual?

This manual is designed to assist Customs and otherenforcement agencies in understanding the provisionsoftheBaselConvention,andhighlightsthefundamentalroletheyplayinitsimplementation.

EachParty,havingitsownlegislativestructure,hastakenitsownapproachinincorporatingtheBaselConventionprovisionsintoitsownlegislation.ThismanualhasbeendraftedinawaythatallowsPartiestoinserttheirownre-quirementsinit,inordertofacilitateitsusebyCustomsofficers and enforcement agencies at the national level.

Thismanualdealswith:

• whatisimportantinformationforCustomstoimple-menttheConvention;

• whatdoesanyenforcementagencyneedtoknowabout safety when dealing with hazardous wasteshipments;

• what is illegal traffic, and how to detect it; and• whicharetheimportantdetailstoconsiderwhenin-

vestigatingandprosecutingwastecrimes.

Foreaseofreference,aglossaryhasbeenincludedtoexplainkeytermsandconceptsundertheBaselConven-tionwhichwillbefrequentlyreferredtooverthecourseofthismanual.

Acknowledgements

The Secretariat expresses its sincere gratitude to theParties of the Basel Convention, in particular the Go-vernmentsofCanadaandtheNetherlands,andtheEUIMPELTFSSeaportproject,fortheirkindcooperationinthedevelopmentofthismanual.

This manual has been produced with the financial sup-portoftheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland.

INTRODUCTION


1 ENFORCEMENT AND THE BASEL CONVENTION

1.1 What is the Basel Convention?

TheBaselConventionwasadoptedon22March1989andenteredintoforceon5May1992.Asat8February2006, there were 167 Parties to the Basel Conven-tion.Inordertoprotecthumanhealthandtheenvironmentagainst the adverse effects that may result from thegenerationandmanagementofhazardouswastesandotherwastes,theBaselConventionestablishesaregu-latorysystembasedonthefollowing:

• the requirement of prior informed consent ofa State of import and States of transit beforean export of waste can take place and, for thispurpose, the establishment of a notification pro-cedure;

• therequirementthatallpracticablestepsareta-ken toensure that suchwastesaremanaged inamanner toprotecthumanhealthand theenvi-ronmentfromtheadverseeffectsthatcouldresultfromthosewastes(referredtointheConventionas“environmentallysoundmanagement”)

• arestrictiononexportstoacountrywhichisnotPartytotheConvention;and

• adutyonanexportingstatetore-importwhereanexporthasnotcompliedwiththeprovisionsoftheConvention.

Theeffective implementationoftheBaselConvention,an international treaty, requiresthetranslationof rulesandpoliciesadoptedattheinternational level intoac-tion, specifically, by enforcement of such international rulesandpoliciesatthenationallevel.ThisrelationshipbetweenthevariousbodiesconcernedintheoperationoftheBaselConventionisillustratedinthediagramop-posite.

InformationthatisneededatthenationalleveltoensuretheimplementationandenforcementoftheConventionprovisionsistransmittedbytheSecretariattothena-tionalFocal Points fortheConvention.Suchinforma-tionincludes,forexample,additionalwastestobe

regulated by the Convention and special proceduresandlegislationadoptedbyindividualcountries.TheFo-cal Pointsmustensurethatthisinformationiscircula-tedtoallinvolvedwithenforcementandimplementationatthenationallevel.ThiswouldincludetheCompetent Authority,whichshouldknowabouteveryshipmentofhazardous wastes leaving from, transiting through orenteringacountry,andwhatisregulatedbytheBaselConventionandbynationallegislation.TheFocalPointandCompetentAuthorityshouldensurethatallnationalenforcementagencies,includingCustoms,arekeptap-propriatelyinformed.

Conference of the Parties (Governing Body)

International Level

Secretariat

Subsidiary Bodies-Open-ended Working Group-Expanded Bureau-Compliance Committee

Directions Recommendations Focal PointCompetent

AuthorityEnforcement

Officers

National Level

7

GLOSSARY

• ConferenceoftheParties, COP

Thedecision-makingbodyoftheConvention,andformu-latesandadoptsthepoliciesthatwillguidetheimplemen-tationoftheConvention.

• CompetentAuthorityThegovernmentalbodydesignatedbyaPartyasrespon-sible for dealing with notifications of a transboundary mo-vementofhazardouswastesorotherwastes.

• DisposalDoes not merely refer to final disposal, it also includes ac-tivitiessuchasresourcerecovery,recycling,reclamation,directre-useoralternativeuses.

• DisposerAny person to whom the wastes are shipped who willcarryoutthedisposalofthewastes.

• EnvironmentallySoundManagement, ESM

Takingallpracticablestepstoensurethathazardouswas-tesorotherwastesaremanagedinamannerwhichwillprotecthumanhealthandtheenvironmentagainstthead-verseeffectwhichmayresultfromsuchwastes.

• ExporterAnypersonwho isunder the jurisdictionof theStateofexportwhoarrangesforhazardouswastesorotherwas-testobeexported.

• FocalPointTheentitydesignatedbyaPartyasbeingresponsibleforsubmitting information toand receiving information fromtheSecretariat.

• GeneratorAnypersonwhoseactivityproduceshazardouswastesorotherwastes. If thatperson is unknown, thegeneratorwillbethepersonwhoisinpossessionand/orcontrolofthewastes.

• MovementDocumentAdocumentwhichcontainsinformationaboutthewasteswhichshouldaccompanyashipmentofwaste from thepointatwhichthetransboundarymovementcommencestothepointofdisposal.Thetableonpage15detailsallthe informationwhichare required tobe included in theMovementDocument.

• Notification TheobligationontheStateofexporttoprovide,orrequirethegeneratororexportertoprovide,informationabouta

proposedtransboundarymovementofhazardouswastesandotherwastestotheStatesconcerned.Thetableonpage13detailsalltheinformationwhicharerequiredtobeincluded in the Notification. Such notifications should be madeinalanguageacceptabletotheStatesofimport.

• SecretariatTheentitywhichprovidessupport to theParties tohelpthem implement theConvention. TheSecretariatworksunderthesupervisionof,andundertheinstructionoftheConferenceoftheParties.

• StateofExport, CountryofExport

APartyfromwhichatransboundarymovementofhazar-douswastesinitiates.

• StateofImport, CountryofImport

APartytowhomatransboundarymovementofhazardouswastesisdestinedforthepurposeofdisposingthewasteinthatcountry,orforloadingthewastepriortodisposalofthewasteinanothercountry.

• StateofTransit, CountryofTransit

AnyState,otherthanaStateofImportorStateofExport,throughwhicha transboundarymovementofhazardouswastesorotherwasteswilltakeplace.Itisimportanttonote however that the duty of the Notifier applies to all StatesofTransit,irrespectiveofwhethertheyareaPartytotheConventionornot

• Statesconcerned, Countriesconcerned

PartieswhichareStatesofexport,or import toa trans-boundarymovementofhazardouswastes,andStatesoftransittosuchamovement, irrespectiveofwhethertheyareaPartyornot.


2 SCOPE OF THE CONVENTION

2.1 What to expect in this Chapter

Thischapterexplainsthebasicproceduresestablishedby the Basel Convention, those definitions in the Conven-tionofmostrelevancetoCustoms,andthewastescove-redbytheConvention.

2.2 General principles of the Basel Convention

When a country has formally decided to endorse andfully implement the principles of the Basel Convention(bybecomingaParty to theBaselConvention) it has,amongstotherthings,agreedto:

• Commititselftointroduceappropriatenationalle-gislationtoregulatethetransboundarymovementsofhazardouswastes;

• Considerthatillegal trafficinhazardouswastesorotherwastesiscriminal;and

• Introducelegislationtopreventandpunishillegal traffic.

The basic elements that should be included in natio-nal legislation to implement the Basel Convention arefound in the text of the Convention. The provisions oftheConventionhavetobe implementedstrictly, in full,byeachParty.

ItisimportanttorealisethattheConventionalsopermitsParties toadoptstrictermeasuresthanthoserequiredbytheConventioneventotheextentofprohibitingex-ports or imports. As a consequence, the extent of re-gulation,onthetransboundarymovementofhazardouswastesmaydifferfromcountrytocountry.Youmay,the-refore find it useful to have copies of the relevant natio-nallegislationofyourcountrytohandwhenreadingthismanual.

2.3 General principles of the Basel Convention

ThefoundationofthecontrolsystemoftheBaselConven-tion isbasedupondetailedprocedures for informationexchange.Thecompleteprocedurefortheauthorizationof transboundarymovementsof hazardouswasteswillbediscussedinmoredetailinchapter3.

2.4 Wastes

ThefoundationofthecontrolsystemoftheBaselConven-tion isbasedupondetailedprocedures for informationexchange.Thecompleteprocedurefortheauthorizationof transboundarymovementsof hazardouswasteswillbediscussedinmoredetailinchapter3.

c

2.4.1 What wastes are subject to the Basel Convention?

TheAnnexestotheConventioncontainthedetaileddes-criptionofthewastescoveredbytheBaselConvention.The Convention defines ‘wastes’ as substances or ob-jectswhicharedisposedofor are intended tobedis-posedoforarerequiredtobedisposedofbytheprovi-

91 ENFORCEMENT AND THE BASEL CONVENTION

1.2 The role of Customs in detecting and investigating traffic in hazar-dous wastes

Customsservicesareinauniquepositiontodetectillegaltrafficking in wastes at border crossings. However, with fasterandfreertradeandthewidespreaduseofcontai-nershipments,therearefeweropportunitiesformeanin-gful inspectionofgoodscrossingnationalborders. Atmany ports and border crossings, it is estimated that

less than two per cent of imported cargo is inspectedandlessthatonepercentofoutboundcargo.Moreover,Customsagenciesarechargedwithenforcingdozensoflaws relating to,amongothermatters, illegalnarcotics,goodsthatproducerevenuethroughtariffs,andsecuritythreats.

It isworthnotingthatawarenesstrainingforwastecri-mes at the border provides benefits for other priority concernstoCustomsdepartments.Inmanypartsoftheworld,onewaytosmugglenarcoticsor illegalaliens istohidetheminshipmentsofgarbageorwastematerialsbecausefewinspectorswanttosearchsuchshipmentsthoroughly.

Training for Customs services in how to recogniseand response to illegal shipments of hazardous was-tes is critical for the effective implementation of theBaselConventionandforthesafetyof inspectorsandagents.

1. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW HOW TO CONTACTYOURCOMPETENTAUTHORITY!!

The contact details of the Competent Authority in myCountryis:

Name: --------------------------------------------

Address: --------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------

TelephoneNo.: --------------------------------------------

E-mail: --------------------------------------------

2.ANDWHERETOFINDTHECONTACTDETAILSOFTHECOMPETENTAUTHORITYOFANOTHERCOUNTRY:

www.basel.int

1. What do the Competent Authorities and FocalPointsdoundertheBaselConvention?

2.WhyshouldCustomsbeinregularcontactwiththeseentities?

3.WhatcanCustomsdotoenforcetheBaselConven-tion?

List thenational legislation implementingtheBaselConventioninyourcountry:

•--------------------------------------------------------------

•--------------------------------------------------------------

•--------------------------------------------------------------

Electricalwaste Source:PhotoSBC


112 SCOPE OF THE CONVENTION

sionsofnationallaw(Article2,paragraph1).

WhatisunderstoodbytheConventionasbeingahazar-dous waste in accordance with the above definition is statedinArticle1oftheConvention,whichprovides:

• WastesthatbelongtoanycategorycontainedinAn-nexIoftheConvention,unlesstheydonotpossessanyofthecharacteristicscontainedinAnnexIII.

Furthermore, paragraph 1(b) of Article 1 provides that“hazardouswastes”arealso

• wastes thatarenotcoveredbyparagraph (a) butare defined as, or are considered to be, hazardous wastes by the domestic legislation of the Party ofexport,importortransit.

• Wastes that belong to any category contained inAnnexIIthataresubjecttoatransboundarymove-ment shall be ‘other wastes’ for the purposes of the Convention.

2.4.2 Wastes not covered by the Basel Convention

Article1alsoprovidesthatthefollowingwastesarenotcoveredbytheConvention:

• Wasteswhich,asaresultofbeingradioactive,aresubjecttoothercontrolsystems,includinginterna-tional instruments, applying specifically to radioac-tivematerials

• Wasteswhichderivefromthenormaloperationsofaship,thedischargeofwhichiscoveredbyanotherinternationalinstrument.

2.4.3 The lists of wastes / Annexes

TheAnnexesthatcontainthelistsofwastesweredeve-loped in two stages. When the Convention was adop-ted,AnnexesItoIIIwereincluded,listingthosewasteswhichweretobecontrolled.In1998,theCOPadoptedtwomoreAnnexes (AnnexesVIIIand IX)whichprovidemore specific examples of what is and what is not cove-redbytheConvention.1AnnexesVIIIandIXhavebeenamendedatsubsequentmeetingsoftheConferenceoftheParties.

Annex VIII (list A) clarifies which specific wastes are co-veredbyAnnexIandarecharacterizedashazardous.AswithAnnexI,ifAnnexVIIIwastesdonotpossessanyofthecharacteristicsdescribedinAnnexIII(e.g.explosive,

corrosive, toxic, etc.) they are not hazardous, and willthennotbesubjecttotheConventioncontrols.AnnexIX(listB)containswastesthatarenothazardousunless they contain Annex I material to an extent thatmakesthemexhibitanAnnexIIIcharacteristic. Insuchcases,thewastesarecoveredbytheBaselConvention.

2.5 Disposal

The Basel Convention does not merely regulate thetransboundary movement of hazardous wastes, but italsodealswiththedisposalofsuchwastes.Themethodof disposal is not just a concern of the Country of import,butitalsohaslegalimplicationsfortheCountry

of export (where thegenerator is located). TheBaselConventionseekstoensurethatsuchdisposaliscarriedoutinanEnvironmentally Sound Manner.

Disposal of wastes is defined in Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Convention as meaning any operation specified in AnnexIVtothisConvention.

The Annex IV lists two types of ‘disposal’:

• SectionAlists15typesofoperations(codedD1–D15)thatdonotleadtothepossibilityofresourcereco-very, recycling, re-useetc.Examplesof theseareland fill, incineration, permanent storage, etc.

• SectionB lists13 typesofoperations (codedR1–R13)whichmayleadtoresourcerecovery,recy-cling, reclamation,direct re-useetc.Examplesofthesearerecycling/reclamationofmetalsandme-tal compounds, used oil re-refining etc.

AnnexIlistswastestreams(wastesresultingfromactivi-tiessuchasmedicalcare,pharmaceuticalindustries,pho-tographic industries, etc., codedY1–Y18)andwasteshaving specific components/constituents (e.g. cadmium, lead, arsenic, etc., codedY19–Y45). Thewastesaregiven codes to assist identification, and should be used in documents that must accompany each shipment ofwasteacrossfrontiers.

Annex III lists a number of hazardous characteristicsthat pose dangers because of the impact that suchsubstance(s)ormixturesofsubstancesmayhave.Suchcharacteristics are, for example, explosiveness, flamma-bility, production of inflammable or toxic gases, etc. and arecodedH1–H13.WhenthewasteslistedinAnnexIdonotpossessanyof thecharacteristics referred to inAnnexIII,thewastesareNOTcoveredbytheprovisionsoftheBaselConventionBUTtheymaystillbecoveredbyparagraph(b)below.

ThisappliestoCountriesofexport,importANDtransit,andthe type of wastes defined as such must be included in the national legislationofthecountryconcerned.OtherPartiesmust be informed, through the Secretariat, of the wastesdefined as, or considered to be, hazardous wastes by their domestic legislation. (See also below under ‘national defini-tions’).OncesuchinformationhasbeencirculatedtoallPar-ties they are all required to respect the national definition.

Article 3 of the Convention on national definitions of hazar-dous wastes requires any Party that considers or defines wastes,otherthanthoseincludedinAnnexesIandII,asha-zardousunderitsnationallegislation,mustinformtheSecre-tariat.TheSecretariatthentransmitsthisinformationtoalltheFocalPointsofallotherPartiestotheConvention.ThePar-tiesareresponsible formakingavailablethis informationatthenationallevel,forexampletoCustomsandtoexporters.

TheSecretariatpublishestheinformationreceivedfromtheParties in connection with national definitions on its web site athttp://www.basel.int/natdef/frsetmain.php.

The Convention refers to ‘other wastes’. These ‘otherwastes’ are defined in Annex II, and refer to wastes col-lectedfromhouseholdsandtoresiduesarisingfromtheincineration of the latter (coded with Y46 and Y47 res-pectively).

MostradioactivewastesareunderthecontroloftheIAEAandarenotcoveredbytheBaselConvention.However,theremaybesomeradioactivewasteswhicharenotsub-ject to IAEA’s regulations (for example,becauseof theirlowlevelofradioactivity).ThesewasteswouldbesubjecttotheBaselConventionprovisions.Thesewastescouldinclude,forexample,medicalwastessuchasx-raymate-rialsthatarelistedasY1inAnnexItotheConvention.

Thisisgenerallyunderstoodasreferringtowastesgene-ratedinthecourseofthenormalactivitiesofaship.SuchwastesareregulatedbytheMARPOLConvention,1973,as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78).

Make sure that you look at the current BaselConvention list ofwastes!Also remember that the

list of wastes covered by your national legislation mayincludeadditionalwastesandshouldalsobeconsulted!

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHOM TO CONTACT FOR THIS INFORMATION!!!

You can find the current Basel Convention list of wastes onwww.basel.int

1This manner of amending the lists of hazardous wastes demonstrates the flexibility of the Convention to quickly respond to change. From a procedural point of view, changing the Annexes isrelativelyeasy,asoutlinedinArticle18oftheConvention,andthechangesenterintoforcerelativelyquickly.

1.AreallwastescoveredbytheConvention?

2.Whatifyournationallawconsidersawasteashazar-douswhiletheBaselConventiondoesnot?DotheBaselConventionprovisionscontinuetoapply?


133 BASEL RULES FROM START TO FINISH


3.1.2 Stage 2: Consent and Issuance of Move-ment Document

UponreceiptoftheNotification Document,theCom-petent Authority oftheCountry of Import mustprovideitswrittenconsent(theconsentcanbegrantedonthebasisofcertainconditions),ordenial(afterhavingaskedfor further clarifications, if necessary) to the notifier. Of-ten it will send copies of its final response to the Compe-tent Authoritiesofallcountries concerned.

The Competent Authority of the Country of Importmust also confirm the existence of a contract between the exporter and disposer. One of the most impor-tantconditionsofthenotification procedureistheve-rification of the existence of a legally binding contract

betweenthegeneratorandthedisposer,specifyingtheenvironmentally sound management of the waste inquestion.

The Competent Authority of any Country of Transit must acknowledge receipt of the Notification docu-ment,andprovideitswrittenconsenttotheCountry of Export (with or without conditions), or denial, within adelayof60days. However,Countries of Transitmaydecide not to require prior written consent, in whichcasetheCountry of Exportmayallowtheexporttopro-ceedifitdoesnotreceiveanyresponsefromthatState of Transitafterthedelayof60days.Thisprocedurewill,however,onlyapplyifCountry of TransithasinformedallotherParties,throughtheSecretariat,thatitwillnotrequirepriorwrittenconsentfortransitshipments.

Once the relevant Competent Authorities have esta-blishedthatalltherequirementsoftheConventionhavebeenmet,andhaveagreedtothemovement,theCom-petent AuthorityoftheCountryofExportcanproceedwith the issuanceof theMovement Document,whichcontains detailed information about the shipment, andauthorisetheshipmenttostart.TheMovement Docu-mentmustaccompanytheconsignmentatalltimesfromthetimeofdeparturefromthewastegeneratortothearri-valoftheconsignmentatthedisposerinanothercountry.

3.1 The Basel Convention procedures

TheproceduresformtheheartoftheBaselConventioncontrolsystemandarebasedonthreekeyelements:No-tification, Consent and theaccompanyingMovement Document.Theproceduremaybedividedintofoursta-gesandillegalactivitiesmayoccurateachofthesesta-ges. Thus, vigilance, verification and, in the case of non-compliance,prosecutionandpenaltiesareessential.

3.1.1 Stage 1: Notification

A transboundary movement requires all competentauthorities of countries concerned to be notified. A noti-ficationusuallycoversonlyonetypeofwaste,andmaycoveronlyoneshipment.However,thenotification maycoverseveralshipmentsofwastesoveramaximumpe-riodofoneyear,providedthatthewastesineachship-menthasthesamephysicalandchemicalcharacteristicsandwillberegularlyshippedtothesamedisposerviathesame Customs offices for entry and exit.

Beforetheshipmentcanbeallowedtostart,theGene-ratorandtheDisposerconcludeacontractforthedis-posalof thewastes. Under theBaselConvention, thiscontractmustensurethat thedisposal isconducted in an environmentally sound manner.Thepartiestothiscontractmustensure that it complieswith the require-mentsoftheBaselConventionandrelevantnationalle-gislation in theconcernedcountries. Ingeneral, thesecontracts should also confirm that the carriers, traders and disposal facilities are appropriately licenced in thecountriesinwhichtheyoperatetoconducttheactivitiesprovidedforunderthecontract.

Uponconclusionofthecontract,theGeneratororEx-porter should inform the Competent Authority of theCountry of Exportofthisproposedmovement.Alreadyat this stage of the process, the Competent Autho-rityoftheCountry of Exportmayrefusetoevensenda notification, for example, because it considers thattheCountry of ImportoraCountry of Transitwillnotconsenttothetransaction,ortheCompetent Authority has no confidence that the exporter and/ordisposerwillcomplywiththeprescribedregulations.ThedecisionbyaCompetent Authority to refuse to transmit a notifica-tion is perfectly in order with the spirit of the Conven-tion.

If the Competent Authority has no objection to thisexport, itwill transmitaNotification Document to theCompetent AuthorityoftheCountry of ImportandtheCompetent AuthoritiesofallCountries of Transit.

The purpose of the notification is to provide the Com-petentAuthoritiesofthecountries concernedwithde-tailed,accurateandcompleteinformationonthewasteitself,ontheproposeddisposaloperation,andotherde-tailsrelatingtotheproposedshipment.

1. Conclude a contract specifying ESM

international border international border

Generator Disposer

Countryof Export

Countryof Import

Country of Transit

3(B). Send Notification

3(B). Send Notification

2. Inform of proposed movement

3(A).Refuse to

allow export

Checklist of Information to be provided on Notification

rReasonforwasteexportrExporterofthewaste(1)rGenerator(s)ofthewasteandsiteofgeneration(1)reDisposerofthewasteandactualsiteofdisposal(1)rIntendedcarrier(s)ofthewasteortheiragents, ifknown(1)rCountryofexportofthewaste,CompetentAuthority(2)rExpectedcountriesoftransit,CompetentAuthority(2)rCountryofimportofthewaste,CompetentAuthority(2)r General or single notificationrProjecteddate(s)of shipement(s)andperiodof time

overwhichwasteistobeexportedandproposediti-nerary(includingpointofentryandexit)(3)

rMeansof transportenvisaged (road, rail,sea,air, in-landwaters)

rInformationrelatingtoinsurance(4)rDesignationandphysicaldescriptionofthewasteinclu-

dingYnumberandUNnumberanditscomposition(5)and informationonanyspecialhandling requirementsincludingemergencyprovisionsincaseofaccidents

rType of packaging envisaged (e.g. bulk, drummed,tanker)

rEstimatedquantityinweight/volume(6)rProcessbywhichthewasteisgenerated(7)

r For wastes listed in Annex 1, classifications from AnnexIII:hazardouscharacteristic,HnumberandUNclass

rMethodofdisposalasperAnnexIVrDeclarationbythegeneratorandexporterthatthein-

formationiscorrectrInformation transmitted (including technical descrip-

tionoftheplant)totheexporterorgeneratorfromthedisposerofthewasteuponwhichthelatterhasbasedhis assessment that there was no reason to believethatthewasteswillnotbemanagedinanenvironmen-tallysoundmanner inaccordancewith the lawsandregulationsofthecountryofimport

rInformationconcerningthecontractbetweentheex-porteranddisposer.

(1) Full nameandaddress, telephoneor telefax number and thename, address,telephone,telexortelefaxnumberofthepersontobecontacted.(2)Fullnameandaddress,telephone,telexortelefaxnumber.(3) In the case of a general notification covering several shipments, either the expec-teddatesofeachshipmentor, ifthisisnotknown,theexpectedfrequencyoftheshipmentswillberequired.(4)Informationtobeprovidedonrelevantinsurancerequirementsandhowtheyaremetbyexporter,carrieranddisposer.(5)Thenatureandtheconcentrationofthemosthazardouscomponents,intermsoftoxicityandotherdangerspresentedbythewastebothinhandlinginrelationtotheproposeddispoalmethod.(6) In the case of a general notification covering several shipments, both the esti-matedtotalquantityandtheestimatedquantitiesforeach individualshipmentwillberequired.(7)Insofarasthisisnecessarytoassessthehazardanddeterminetheappropriate-

nessoftheproposeddisposaloperation.


Generator Disposer

Countryof Export

Countryof Import

Country of Transit

4. Consent /Deny Movement (written form)

6. If consent and proof of contract then issue

Movement document

4. Consent /Deny Movement (written form)

5. Confirm existence of contract specifying ESM

Checklist of Information to be provided on the Movement Document

• Exporterofthewaste*• Generator(s)ofthewasteandsiteofgeneration*• Disposerofthewasteandactualsiteofdisposal*• Carrier(s)ofthewaste*/orhisagent(s)• Subject of general or single notification• The date the transboundary movement started and

date(s)andsignatureonreceiptbyeachpersonwhotakeschargeofthewaste

• Meansoftransport(road,rail,inlandwaterway,sea,air)includingcountriesofexport,transitandimport,alsopointofentryandexitwherethesehavebeendesignated

• Generaldescriptionofthewaste(physicalstate,pro-perUNshippingnameandclass,UNnumber,Ynum-berandHnumberasapplicable)

• Informationonspecialhandlingrequirementsincludingemergencyprovisionincasesofaccidents

• Typeandnumberofpackages• Quantityinweight/volume• Declarationbythegeneratororexporterthattheinfor-

mationiscorrect• Declarationbythegeneratororexportedindicatingno

objectionfromthecompetentauthoritiesofallStatesconcernedwhichareParties

• Certification by disposer of receipt at designated dis-posalfacilityandindicationofmethodofdisposalandoftheapproximatedateofdisposal

The information requiredon themovementdocumentshallwherepossiblebe in-tegrated inonedocumentwith that requiredunder transport rules. Where this isnotpossibletheinformationshouldcomplementratherthanduplicatethatrequiredundertransportrules.Themovementdocumentshallcarryinstructionsastowhoisto provide information and fill-out any form.

*Fullnameandaddress,telephoneortelefaxnumberandthename,address,tele-phone,telexortelefaxnumberofthepersontobecontactedincaseofemergency.



3.1.3 Stage 3: Transboundary Movement of Ha-zardous Wastes

TheMovement Documentprovidesrelevantinformationonaparticularconsignment,forexample,onallthecar-riers of the consignment, which Customs offices it has to passthrough,thetypeofwasteandhowitispackaged.Itshouldalsoprovideaccurateinformationontheautho-risationsbytheCompetent Authoritiesfortheproposedmovement of waste. To ensure consistency betweentheinformationprovidedintheNotification DocumentandtheMovement Document(andtoreducepossibleabuse),theConference of the Partieshasrecommen-dedthatthedulycompleted NotificationshouldalwaysaccompanytheMovement Document.

Article6,paragraph9oftheConventionrequiresthat,upondeliveryofthewasteatthedisposer’spremises,thelattersi-gnstheMovement DocumentandreturnsittotheCompe-tent AuthorityoftheState of Exportandtothegeneratorconfirming the receipt of the hazardous waste in question.

3.1.4 Stage 4: Confirmation of Disposal

Article6,paragraph9oftheConventionalsorequiresaconfirmation from the disposerwhenthedisposalhastakenplace,accordingto the termsof thecontract,asspecified in the Notification Document.

If the Competent Authority of the Country of Export has not received the confirmation that disposal hasbeencompleted, itmust informtheCompetent AuthorityoftheCountry of Importaccordingly.

3.2 Verification at Customs

The figure opposite highlights the stages at which Cus-tomscanverifywhethera transboundarymovementofhazardouswastesisconsistentwiththeBaselConven-tion,illustratinghowthetransboundarymovementofha-zardouswasteswillproceedfromCountrytoCountry.

Whenallcountriesinvolvedhaveprovidedtheirconsent,thetransboundarymovement isauthorisedtoproceed.Whenoneofthecountriesdeniespermissionofthemo-vement,thetransboundarymovementisnotauthorisedandshouldbestopped,asindicatedbytheredstopsi-gns.

WhenaCountry of Transitdeniespermission,but theCountry of Import consents, the Country of Exportmust not allow the shipment to leave the Country of ExporttotheCountry of Transit,evenwhenthecarriercan prove that the country of final destination has given itsconsenttothemovement.Insuchcases,theexpor-ter has to find another transit country willing to permit the movementtocrossitsterritory.

Similarly,whentheCountry of Transithasconsentedtothemovement,buttheCountry of Importhasnot,theCountry of ExportmustnotallowtheshipmenttoleaveuntilaCountry of Import thatconsents toreceivetheshipmentisfound.

Thedocumentsaccompanyingtheshipmentareessen-tial inhelpingCustoms todeterminewhether theship-mentislegal:

Some Parties publish information relating to notifications on thewebsiteoftherelevantMinistriesorEnvironmentAgen-cies. The informationwill assistCustoms indeterminingwhethershipmentsofhazardouswastesarelegalornot.

Find out which documents are required by your Country for the Import or Export of hazar-

dous wastes

The website on which I can find information on ship-mentsofhazardouswastesapprovedbytheCompe-

tentAuthorityofmycountryis:

http:// ---------------------------------------------------------


Generator Disposer

Countryof Export

Countryof Import

Country of Transit

7. Send signed copy of Movement Document confirming receipt of shipment

Transboundary movement of hazardous waste, which is always accompanied by a Movement Document

Key

7.

Mostcountriesacceptacopyofthedulycompletedandfully authorised notification to be enclosed with the Move-mentDocument.However,somecountriesrequirethanan original notification, stamped and signed by the Com-petentAuthority,shallalwaysaccompanytheMovementDocument. Inthelattercase,thegeneratorwillhavetoprovide the Competent Authority with sufficient copies of the Notification for individual certification.


Generator Disposer

Countryof Export

Countryof Import

Country of Transit

8. Upon completion, send confirmation that disposal

has taken place.

9. If no confirmation has been received, advise accordingly.

10. May wish to follow up in order to

confirm completion

8.

FridgerecyclingfacilityinJapan Source:PhotoSBC

DocumentsforImport

rMovementDocumentr Certified copy of

ConsentDocumentr Notification Form

DocumentsforExport

r MovementDocumentr Certified copy of

ConsentDocumentr Notification Form

Verify Contents And Documents



Country of export Transit Country Country of Import

NO NO NOYESFind new country

of import which can deal with wastes in an

environmentally sound manner

YES

NO

NO

OK OK OK

find new countryof transit


CA Export

CA TransitConsent ?

CA ImportConsent and

Confirms contract ?

Notification

3.3 Border Control Procedures

The following figures elaborate on the tasks and consi-derations of a Customs officer in the Country of Export,Transitand Importrespectively.

Thisarrowindicatesthattheshipmentcouldbeillegal for the purpose of the Basel Conventionandyoushouldhold theshipmentandconsulttheCompetentAuthority.

3.3.1 Export

This telephone symbol is used to indicate thattheCustomshave reason tobelieve that a saidshipmentmaybeillegal,andshouldconsultandinformtheCompetentAuthoritiesofthecountriesconcernedtoverifythattheshipmentislegal.

Is there a movement document ?

Is there an export authorization by the Competent Authority?

Do the contents correspond to the movement document ?

Is the packaging OK ?

Release the shipment for export

Seize andphone

If no Country of Transit, then go to the box called:Customs, Country of Import

If there is a Country of Transit, then go to the box called:

Customs, Transit Country, entry

Customs, Country of Export

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

NO



As a Customs officer you first need to verify that all the documentsrequiredbyyourlegislationarepresentedtoyouandcorrectlycompletedwithallinformationrequiredundertheConvention.Thenextstepisthephysicalins-pectionoftheshipment:

•Verifyifthetruckandthecontainersareappropria-telylabelled,asprescribedtheapplicabletransportlegislation.

•Verifyifthenumberofcontainersandtheirtypecor-responds to what is indicated on the Movement Document,and that theirvolumecorresponds tothetotalindicatedintheMovement Document.

•Totheextentyouareable,verifythecontentsofthecontainerstoensurethattheycorrespondwiththepermittedsubstances.

3.3.2 Transit

Theproceduresfortransithavebeenseparatedintotwoboxesbelowwhichdealseparatelywiththeproceduresinvolvedintheentryandexitoftheshipment.

IftheappropriateproofofconsentisnotprovidedandtheCompetent AuthorityoftheCountry of Transit confirms that consent to the said transit was given (or was notrequired,seepage22),thismeansthattheCompetent AuthorityoftheCountry of Exporthasnotprovidedtheinformation,orthecarrierhasforgottenit.Inwhichcaseyou might consider subjecting the shipment to greaterscrutiny.YoushouldrequesttheCompetent AuthoritytocontactitscounterpartintheCountry of Exportandseek clarification for the omission. After having passed throughtheCountry of Transit,theshipmentarrivesatanotherborderpostinordertoexittheCountry of Tran-sitwhere,again,Customswillhavetomakeallthene-cessary verifications as described above.

IfallprovisionsoftheConventionandnationallegislationhavebeencompliedwith,theshipmentcanbereleasedto exit the country. If those conditions have not beenmet, the shipment should be seized and the relevantauthoritiesshouldbe informed toensure that theship-mentisreturnedtotheCountry of Export,asrequiredunderArticle9oftheBaselConvention.

If the answer to any of the above questions is NEGA-TIVE, the shipment shouldNOTbe released for exportandtheCompetentAuthorityshouldbeconsulted.IfalltheanswerstothequestionsabovearePOSITIVE,youcanreleasetheshipmentforexport.

Yes

Do you agree with the observations of Customs of the exporting country ?


Is there proof of your CA’s consent ?

No

Are the contents, quantity and packaging the same as on departure from Country of Export ?

Yes

Release for transit

Yes

No

No

Change of port ?


Are the contents, quantity and packaging the same as on entry into Country of Transit?

If more, is there adequatedocumentationto account for surplus?

Release for movement to country of import

No

If less, where is the rest?

Yes

Seize and phone

Seize and phone

Change of carrier ?

Twoaspectsrequirespecialattention:

1.Hastherebeenachangeofcarrier?Andisthisade-quately reflected with appropriate signatures on the MovementDocument?Ifso,itisimportantthepac-kaginghasnotbeenalteredor tamperedwith inanattempttoremove,addorswapsubstances.

2.Itmayalsobe thatothercontainerswithhazardouswasteshavebeenaddedwhicharedestinedforthesamedisposer.Theseadditionsshouldnotberegar-dedastransitshipments,butasexports,thatshouldbedealtwith in theappropriatemanner. Similarly, ifthequantitiesarelessthanwhatenteredoriginally,theshipmentshouldbestoppedandrelevantauthoritiesalerted,because thismaymean that illegaldisposalmayhavetakenplaceintheCountryofTransit.

17

Customsshouldalwayscarefullycheckshipmentsofhazardouswastesandotherwastes,andbeveryalert

for any possible illegal traffic. Knowing whom to contact fornecessaryinformationandadviceisessential.

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHOM TO CONTACT IF SOMETHING SEEMS WRONG!!!

1.WhatdoesNotification entail?

2.ShouldaCountry of Transitbeconsultedbeforeatransboundary movement of hazardous waste passesthroughitsterritory?

3.3.3 Import

CustomsinaCountry of Importshouldbeevenmorealertwithrespecttoshipmentsofhazardouswastes,be-causethewasteswillbedisposedofintheircountry.

Control procedures are similar to those explained above forExport or for Transit. If Customs is satisfied with the validity of the shipment,itmayproceedtoreleasetheshipmentfordisposal.

Is there proof of your CA’s consent ?Customs, Country of Import No

Do you agree with the observations of Customs of the exporting country ?

Yes

Are the contents, quantity and packaging the same as on departure from Country of Export ?

YesNo

Release for Disposal

Yes

Seize and phone


194 ILLEGAL TRAFFIC

4 ILLEGAL TRAFFIC

4.1 Definition of Illegal Traffic

TheBaselConventionseekstopreventany illegal traffic insuchwaste.Article4,paragraph3,ofthetextoftheBaselConventionprovides:

The Parties consider that illegal traffic in hazardous was-tesorotherwastesiscriminal.

Paragraph 4 of the same Article stresses the need foradequatenationallegislation:

EachPartyshalltakeappropriatemeasurestoimplementandenforcetheprovisionsofthisConvention,includingmeasurestopreventandpunishconduct incontraven-tionoftheConvention.

For thepurposeof theConvention, any transboundarymovementofhazardouswastesorotherwastesshallbedeemedtobe illegal trafficwhenitis:

(a)without notification pursuant to the provisions ofthisConventiontoallStatesconcerned;or

(b)without theconsentpursuant to theprovisionsofthisConventionofaStateconcerned;or

(c)with consent obtained from States concer-ned through falsification, misrepresentation orfraud;or

(d)thatdoesnotconforminamaterialwaywiththedo-cuments;or

(e) that results in deliberate disposal (e.g. dumping) ofhazardouswastesorotherwastesincontraventionofthisConventionandofgeneralprinciplesofinter-nationallaw.

The following activities reflect some of the ways in whichillegal traffic, as defined by the Convention, may manifestitself:

1. Omittingimportantinformationfrom,ormakingafalsestatementinaMovementDocumentorothercompliancedocument,orusingincorrectlabels;

2. Transporting wastes without a Movement Docu-ment;

3. Adding or replacing waste in a shipment whenchangingcarriersothatitnolongermatchestheMovementDocument;

4. Transporting wastes to a facility not designatedinthecontract,whichlackstechnicalcapacitytodealwiththewasteinquestion

5. Disposingofhazardouswastesinsuchawaythatanotherpersonorpersonsareplacedinimminentdangerfortheirhealth

6. Storingordisposingofwastes inviolationof theconditions stipulated in the Notification.

4.2 Detecting Illegal Traffic

UndertheBaselConvention,illegal trafficinhazardouswastesshouldbe regardedasacriminaloffence,andParties shouldputinplaceadequateimplementingle-gislationto thateffect. Indetecting illegal traffic, re-coursetotherelevantnationallegislationisessential.

4.2.1 Where to look

Whilst the Convention deals with the transboundarymovementofthesewastes,enforcementdoesnotoc-curexclusivelyattheborders.

TheexampleprovidedbytheIMPEL-TFSSeaportpro-jectshowshowonecouldproceedwithaninspectionofashipmentbeforeitisoff-loaded.

Article 9(5) of the Convention provides that “Each Partyshallintroduceappropriatenational/domesticlegislationtoprevent and punish illegal traffic. The Parties shall co-ope-ratewithaviewtoachievingtheobjectsofthisArticle”.

Whatistherelevantcriminallegislationtopreventandpunish illegal traffic in hazardous wastes?

------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------

What are the penalties for illegal traffic under that legislation?

------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------

Whichgovernmentagencywillberesponsibleforprose-cutionofthiscrime?

------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------

Which government agency will be responsible for prosecution of this crime?

IMPEL-TFS Seaport Project

PreparationBefore initiating a comprehensive inspection operation,evenifitisforonlyalimitedamountoftime,itisimpor-tanttoadequatelyprepareforit.

- Informrelevantauthorities(likepolice,customs,traf-fic inspectorate and/or port authorities) about the proposed traffic inspection, and agree with them on:

• thelocationfortheinspection,thedateandthetimeperiod;

• thenumberofpeopleinvolvedandequipmentrequi-red, aswell as thenecessary safetymeasures andtheinspectionscenario(e.g.focusonultimatedesti-nations,ortypesofwaste);

• theresponsibilitiesofeachagencyduringtheinspec-tion;

• whichassistanceandknowledgeisrequiredinaddi-tionwhensamplesneedtobetaken;

• whoisresponsibleforthefollow-upincaseofnon-compliancewiththerules;

• whowillhandleanycontactswiththepress

- Toincreasethechancesofdiscoveringatransboun-dary waste shipment, it is recommended to locatethe inspection near a custom checkpoint or at thegateofaterminal.Thiswillfacilitateaquickcheckonthedocumentsandifnecessaryselectionortempo-raryblockingofacontainerforfurtherinvestigation.

Inspection- Stopping the vehicle; generally there are two op-

tions:

• Usingaroadblockallowsonetochooseanappro-priate location (preferably a parking place) to guidethevehicles to,and to inspect themwithoutdistur-bance to the regular traffic flow. This will often involve cooperationwithpoliceorcustomstoguideandstopthe vehicles. The advantage of this method is thatyouwillalwayshaveallfacilities(e.g.safetyandsam-plingequipment)availableatthislocation.

• Anotherpossibilityistostopavehiclewhilepatrollingselected roads or highways. This method requiresthe inspector’svehicle tobeclearly recognizableassuch. The disadvantage of this method is that onecannothaveallnecessaryfacilitiesavailableatonce.The advantage is that one can be more flexible in se-lectingvehiclesforinspection.

- During a traffic inspection it is possible to select the typeoftransport:

• Closedcontainers(mostlyforshipmentoversea);• Tankcontainers (for inspectionof tankcontainersa

specific knowledge is needed);• Trailers(productsofteninsmallbatches,forhandling

withsmallliftingequipment);• Opentopcontainers(oftenwithheavymaterial).

Sinceonedoesnotwant to stopunloaded vehicles, itmightbeusefultoalsolookforloadindications:

• Thepresenceofspecialplatesor labelswithcodes

indicatinghazardousorotherwastegoods;• Depressionof tyresandshockbreakers (onewould

notwanttostopanemptytruck).• Seals on the container doors (these seals can be

companysealsaswellascustomsseals);

- Verification of documents;Various types of documents need to be verified and com-paredforpossiblecluesofillegaltransport(anychangeonthedocumentshouldbetreatedwithsuspicion).The-se verifications not only concern the Basel documents (Movement document, Notification document and/or Consent document) but any other type of documents,suchasCustomstransitdocuments;truckweighingre-ceipts,invoices;customsdocuments,safetydatasheetsetc.;Alsointerviewthelorrydriver(andco-driver).He/shemayhavemoreinformationabouttheoriginoftheload(chan-ge of carrier!), the final destination, route of the transport, etc.

- Important points of attention (if the information isavailable):

rCheck if the accompanying Movement Documentandthedocumentsofthelorrydrivermatch;

rCompare the quantity of waste and its description(including the packaging) as included in the Move-mentDocumentwiththeweightreceiptand/orwithinvoices,orotherdocumentation. If there isadiffe-rence(amountofdifferencetobedeterminedbytheinspector) between what is indicated in the docu-mentsandtheactualload,takefurtheraction;

rComparetheactualroutewiththerouteasmentio-nedontheMovementDocument (checkthetacho-meter!);

rCheck the actual date(s) of shipping/transport forplausibility

rCheck (if applicable) whether the information on aCustoms Transit Document corresponds with theotherdocuments).

rIfnoMovementDocumentisavailable(becausetheshipmentisapparentlynotintendedforexport,orhasbeendeclaredascontainingsubstancesnotsubjecttotheBaselConvention),otherdocumentssuchasCustomsdocuments,invoicesorsafetydatasheetscanhelpyoutoidentifythewaste.Thedeclarationsbythelorrydrivercanalsoprovideyouwiththeinfor-mationyouneed.

- Physicalinspectionoftheload.Toverifyifthecompositionofthegoodsinthetruckloadcorrespondswiththeinformationonthedocuments,itispreferabletoperformaphysicalinspectionoftheload.

- A first inspection can be done visually, taking (digital) picturesatthesametime.Thisisnotonlyfordocu-mentingtheinspectionprocess,butwillalsoassistinconsultingspecialistsbyemail.

Avisualinspectionwillallowyoutoverify:

• iftheloadiswasteornot;• whentheloadiswaste,whetherthecompositionof

thewastematcheswiththedocuments;and• whether it is necessary to make further verifications,

orevenproceedtounloadinganddetailedsamplingoftheshipment.


4 ILLEGAL TRAFFIC

4.2.1.1 PlacardingandLabelling

Shipmentsofhazardousmaterialsandwastesmustbeshipped in trucks with appropriate placards indicatingthe type of hazardous substance being shipped. TheCustoms officer should verify that the placards are ap-propriate for the type of substance being shipped andthattheycorrespondtotheshippingandmovementdo-cuments.Theabsenceofplacardsisillegal.Tornormu-tilatedplacardsorlabelsmayindicatethatthecontainerhasbeenchangedortamperedwith.

4.2.1.2 Drumsandcontainers

Tankers, drums, storage tanks and compressed gascontainersareallcapableofcontaininghazardoussubs-tances. A Customs officer approaching any of these shouldassumethatthecontainersmaycontainahazar-doussubstance.Drumsforhazardouswastesnormallylook like drums for chemical products or they may beoversizedinordertoholdaregularsizeddrumwithinthatmaybeleaking.Illegalshipmentsofhazardouswastere-siduescanbe found indrums that arecorrodedor al-most empty and even in five-gallon pails or laboratory and medical packaging. Hazardous waste can also bemixedinwithwastepaper,scrapmetalorchemicalsin-tendedforrecycling.Productsshippedfromthefactorygenerallyhavetheirsealsintact.Ifthesealsarebroken,thecontentsaresuspect.

Hazardous materials must be packaged in appropriatecontainers. For example, if the Movement Document statesthematerialiscorrosive,thecontainershouldbeplastic.Ifthematerialisasolvent,thecontainershouldbe metal. The Customs officer should review the shipping andMovement Documentstobesurethecontainerisappropriate.Leakingcontainerscouldindicateanillegalshipment.Transportationregulationsrequirethathazar-doussubstancesbepackaged insealedcontainers forsafety. The Customs officer should verify that containers havenoleaksorvisiblespills.

Dentedormishandledcontainerscanalsobeindicativeof illegally transported hazardous waste, as productsmustbekeptinagoodconditioninordertobeaccepta-bletoalawfulconsignee.Thesameappliesforrecentlypainteddrums(it isimportanttolookatallsidesofthedrum todeterminewhether thepaint coversold labelsormarking).Ifadrumisbulgingthiscouldindicatethepossibilityofachemicalreactioncreatingpressureinthecontainer. An inspecting officer should be careful not to opensuchacontainerwithoutproperprotectivegearaspressurizeddrumscouldbedangerousifopenedwithoutappropriateprecautions.

21

Do you know where to get information on pla-cards and labels?

Selected United Nations Packaging Symbols

TheUnitedNationsEconomicandSocialCouncil’sCom-mitteeofExportsontheTransportofDangerousGoodsand on the Globally Harmonised System of Classification andLabellingofChemicalshasbeenchargedwithde-veloping a single, harmonised system to address clas-sification of chemicals, labels and safety data sheets. Belowaresomeselectedpackagingsymbols,youmayfind more information on these symbols and others at http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm

Danger,Explosive

Danger, may cause fire or explosion

Warning,verytoxictoaquaticlife

Danger,Flammable

Warning,containsgasunderpressure

Danger,toxic

An Australian Example

On1September1997,ashipmentofapproximately60tonnes of waste, mainly computer scrap, was expor-ted fromSydney,Australia,bound forHongKong.On22September1997, theHongKongauthorities, afterbeing notified by Greenpeace Australia of the hazardous natureof thegoods, refused toallow thescrapentry.ThecontainersweresubsequentlyreturnedtoSydney,together with another two containers, also consignedtoHongKong,thatwereremovedfromanothervesselbefore it left Brisbane, Australia, on 1 October 1997.TheshipmentscontravenedArticles6.1and6.3oftheBasel Convention because the requirements for notifi-cationandconsentwerenotobserved.Theexportalsocontravened section 40 of the Australian HazardousWaste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989(‘Act’),whichprohibits the export of hazardouswastewithout a permit. The suspected contravention of theActwasthesubjectofajointinvestigationbytheAus-tralianFederalPolice(AFP)andtheDepartmentoftheEnvironmentandHeritage.

The investigation found that the computer scrap hadbeen collected by an Australian company concernedwith the collection and re-sale of most kinds of me-tal and electrical scrap. In August 1997, the Austra-liancompanysold thescrap toa foreigncompany forAUD26,693. The Australian company then stuffed thecontainersandtransported themto thedocks.Duringthe process of stuffing the containers, Greenpeace Aus-traliabecameawareofthepossiblehazardousnatureofthegoods.

The problem during the investigation centred uponwhich company was responsible for the illegal exportofthegoods.Theinvestigationfoundthatthetermsofthecontractbetween theAustraliancompanyand theforeigncompanywereFreeonBoard(FOB)andundercommerciallawthisineffectmadetheforeigncompanytheownerandexporterof thewaste. However, therewas no basis for criminal proceedings against the fo-reigncompanybecauseanoffenceagainstsection40oftheActcanonlybecommittedbyapersonwhoactsknowingly or recklessly. It could not be shown thatanyone associated with the foreign company knew oroughttohaveknownthatthecontainerscontainedha-zardouswaste.

ItcouldbearguedthattheAustraliancompanywastheexporter of the scrap for the purposes of section 40,havingsoldthescrapandpackeditintothecontainersknowingthatitwastobeshippedtoHongKong.Ne-vertheless, the investigation found that the prospectsforasuccessfulprosecutionwerenotgood,partlybe-cause the only individual who clearly knew preciselywhatwasinthecontainershaddiedduringtheinvesti-gation,andpartlybecause itwasuncertainwhetheracompanycouldbeanexporterforthepurposeofsec-tion40unlessitwasalsotheexporterforthepurposeofcommercial law. TheAustraliancompanywaswoundupwhiletheinvestigationproceeded.

TheHazardousWasteAct iscurrentlybeingamendedtoclosethisloopholebymakingit illegalforAustraliancompanies tosellhazardouswaste to foreigncompa-niesunlessanexportpermitisinplace.

An example from the United Kingdom

InDecember1999anemployeeofasolventrecoverycom-pany in the United Kingdom informed the EnvironmentAgencyofthepresenceofsuspiciousloadwhichwasnotaccompaniedbyall thenecessarypaperwork. Inspectionof the site revealed the presence of 45-gallon drums filled with wastes. The waste was inspected by Agency officers andsomeofthedrumswerefoundtobedamaged,withastrongsmellofsolventscomingfromthedrumsandwoodandragsvisibleinanumberofdrumswithoutlids.Theloadwaspoorlysecuredandwasnotclearly labelled. Furtherexaminationoftheloadrevealedrags,overalls,glovesandliquidsolvents.Inspectionofthepaperworkallowedtotraceafurther load(again in45-gallondrums)atanearbyport.These drums were crudely packaged in shrink-wrappedpolythene,withoutanywastedescriptionorhazardwarninglabels.Chemicalevaluationrevealedthatthewastecontai-nedvariousconcentrationsofacetoneandwasteclothescontaminatedwithresinsandpolymers,potentiallyforminganexplosivecocktail.Onlyasmallamountwouldhavebeensuitableforsolventrecovery,themajorityofthewastewouldhave required final disposal.

The company was fined GBP 1,500 for illegal shipment and thepayment ofGB4594.80of costs to theEnvironmentAgency

Excerpt fromtheGuidanceElements forDetection,PreventionandControlof IllegalTraffic in Hazardous Wastes, pages 114-117

1.Givethreeexamplesoftransboundarymovementsof wastes that are deemed illegal under the Basel

Convention.

2. What national laws exist in your country to punishillegal traffic?

3. List three possible indicators of illegal traffic in hazar-douswastes.

ThehazardouswastewasdisposedofinAustralia,un-derAustralianlaw,attheexpenseoftheAustralianFe-deral Government and at a total cost of AUD94,426.ThereareprovisionsintheActunderwhichtheGovern-ment may seek to recover these costs from a foreigncompany.


235 COOPERATION

5 COOPERATION (CEN).TheaimofthisnetworkistolinkallCustomsad-ministrationsforenforcementpurposesandprovidethemwith a common database and reference system. Anynational Customs administration should be connectedtoCENthroughitsWCONationalContactand,equallyimportant,shouldcontributetothefurtherdevelopmentof CEN. Your Regional Intelligence Liason Office (RICO) willalsoprovideavaluabletoolforinternationalcoope-ration.

Interpol provides another mechanism for internationalcooperation through itsNationalCentralBureaus. Thistypeofconnection isparticularly importantfordetailedinvestigations involving prosecution of individuals andcompaniesdomiciledindifferentcountries.

Therearemanyotherexamplesofsuccessful interna-tional hazardous waste task forces around the world,many of which are focused on border crossings andcommontraderoutesforwastesandothercontrabandsubstances.

5.1 National cooperation – hazardous waste task forces

The task force approach is an effective and efficient method for targeting and investigating suspected cri-minal activity in a specific geographical area, region or bordercrossing.Hazardouswastetaskforcemembersmay represent countries, provinces and local jurisdic-tionswherehazardouswasteisgenerated,transported,disposed of, or abandoned. Generally, a task force iscomposedofa teamofpeople fromdifferentagencieswithacommongoal.Thestrategy is tocoordinate theactivitiesofseveralagencieshavingrelevantinformation,expertiseandjurisdiction.

Ahazardouswastetaskforcemaybecomposedofre-presentatives from Customs (agents, inspectors, tradeinformation specialists), environmental agencies, policeagenciesatnational, regionaland local levels,personswith hazardous waste regulatory and prosecution bac-kgrounds, and others with relevant information on orauthority over waste shipments. If possible, specialistsin electronic surveillance, forensics, tax, computer anddataprocessingshouldbeincludedinspecialtaskforceoperationsandinvestigations.

Thestructureof the task forceshouldbesimple,com-posedofatleastonememberrepresentingeachagencyandataskforceleader.Becauseeachagencyinvolvedexpects some benefit from the work of the task force, it is the leader’s responsibility to be familiar with the needs andinterestsofalltheagencies.Thetaskforcemembersmaybeappointedbytheirrespectiveagencieswhilethemembers or their agencies normally choose the taskforceleader.Theentiretaskforceshouldmeet,withanagenda,atleastonceamonth.

The objectives identified here ought to be included in the objectivesofanyhazardouswastetaskforceaswellasothersdictatedbycircumstances.Theyshouldbeattai-nableandsupportedbyallstakeholdersrepresentedinthetaskforce.

Theprincipalobjectiveofahazardouswastetaskforceistodevelopandshareinformationamongagencies, lea-dingtothedetectionandinvestigationofmorecasesofillegal trafficking than any one agency could managealoneasthetaskforcecollectivelyhasfarmoreresour-ces, jurisdiction, capacity and personnel. This is espe-ciallyimportantforcountriesorregionswheretherearescarceresourcesforenvironmentalinvestigations.

Task forcesdetect illegal traffickingbycompilingand

collating information and intelligence from Customsandcomparing thatwith information fromenvironmen-tal agencies, police, fire departments and others. They identifyenforcement targetsandprioritizeaccording tothe seriousness of offences, frequency of occurrenceand needs of stakeholders. They may develop a data-base of commercial information and intelligence regar-dingknowngenerators,transportersanddisposalsites,as well as cases of illegal trafficking and other hazardous wastecrimes.

Inthisway,taskforcescandocumenttrendsinillegalac-tivity, determine patterns of trafficking, share information on common schemes employed by illegal traffickers and effectively train other agencies in the collaborative de-tection,investigationandpreventionofhazardouswastetrafficking. They should also ensure that their members collaborate in the investigation of identified cases of ille-gal trafficking, the execution of search warrants and the prosecutionoftheindividualsandcorporationsrespon-sible.

5.2 International Cooperation for De-tection

Theinternationalcooperationforthedetectionandpre-ventionof illegal traffic inhazardousandotherwastesisavery importantaspectoftheimplementationoftheBaselConvention.Competent authorities of Countries of import andexportthataretradepartnersinthesenseofthemove-mentofwastesshouldestablishadequatelinesofcom-munications, not only for the compliance with notifica-tionandconsentproceduresasestablishedbytheBaselConvention,butalsowithregardtodetectedorpotentialillegal traffic.Withregardtothelatter,suchresponsibi-litiesshouldbe transferred to the relevantenforcementagencies.

In 2000, the World Customs Organization (WCO) ini-tiatedanetworkcalledCustomsEnforcementNetwork

ritiesproceededthroughInterpol,using itschannelsforpolicetopolicecommunicationbetweenStates.Informa-tionwasalsoshareddirectlybetweennationalandlocallawenforcementagencies.Theindividualwasprosecu-tedbytheChineseauthoritiesandreceivedasentenceoftenyearsinprisonwhilethe238metrictonsofwaste,falsely labelledasscrappaper,wasreturnedtoCalifor-nia.Theinternationalpublicitysurroundingthiscaseandthecriminalsanctions,servedasadeterrent.Tradersinwastepapertookadditionalmeasurestoensurethattheirshipmentscompliedwithenvironmentalprotectionlaws.The Chinese authorities reported that, after this prose-cution,lessthanonepercentofforeignwasteimportedintoChina failed tomeet standards, basedon randominspectionbycustomsagents.Furthermore, as a result of this case, authorities in theUnitedStatesrecognizedtheneedtobettercoordinatethestate, localandfederalagenciesinvolvedintheen-forcementoflawsgoverningtheexportofwasteforre-cycling,particularlythosewastesdestinedforChinaandotherpartsofAsia.TheUnitedStatesestablishedataskforce named Exodus Asia comprising customs agents,inspectors and information specialists, EnvironmentalProtectionAgencycriminalinvestigators,stateandlocalwasteregulatoryauthoritiesandinspectors,linkedtolawenforcementandcustomsagenciesatportsinAsia.

Doyouhaveahazardouswastetaskforce?Listthecontactdetails.Ifyoudon’t,whodoyouthinkcould

(1)takestepstoestablishone,and(2)participateinsuchahazardouswastetaskforce?

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For more information on WCO mechanisms see www.wcoomd.org. This site also has links to national customswebsites.

FormoreinformationonInterpolnetworksseewww.interpol.int.Thissitealsohaslinkstonationallawenforcementsites,includingCustoms.

The example of Exodus Asia

Inrecentyears,severalinternationaltaskforcesfocusedonwasteshipmentswere formed inresponsetocasesof illegal trafficking. For example, the Chinese authorities prosecutedan individual for illegal import of hazardouswastesmixedwithwastepaper fromtheUnitedStatesofAmericathatwasintendedforrecyclinginChina.TheUnited States’ environmental law enforcement authori-tiescooperatedintheinvestigationofthisindividual,whowasaUnitedStatescitizenandhisbusiness,whichwasbasedinCalifornia.MuchofthecommunicationbetweentheChineseandUnitedStates lawenforcementautho-

1. Identify the national agencies that do, or should,formpartofyournationalhazardouswastetaskforce.

2.Whatinternationalnetworksexistwhichmayhelpyouto detect and prosecute illegal traffic?


115 COOPERATION

5 tiatedanetworkcalledCustomsEnforcementNetwork(CEN).TheaimofthisnetworkistolinkallCustomsad-ministrationsforenforcementpurposesandprovidethemwith a common database and reference system. Anynational Customs administration should be connectedtoCENthroughitsWCONationalContactand,equallyimportant,shouldcontributetothefurtherdevelopmentof CEN. Your Regional Intelligence Liason Office (RICO) willalsoprovideavaluabletoolforinternationalcoope-ration.


Therearemanyotherexamplesofsuccessful interna-tional hazardous waste task forces around the world,many of which are focused on border crossings andcommontraderoutesforwastesandothercontrabandsubstances.5.1 National cooperation – hazardous

waste task forces



Thestructureof thetaskforceshouldbesimple,composed of at least one member representingeachagencyandataskforceleader.Becauseeach

agency involved expects some benefit from the work of the task force, it is the leader’s responsibility to be fami-liarwiththeneedsandinterestsofalltheagencies.Thetaskforcemembersmaybeappointedbytheirrespec-tiveagencieswhile themembersor theiragenciesnor-mallychoosethetaskforceleader.Theentiretaskforceshouldmeet,withanagenda,atleastonceamonth.




collating information and intelligence from Customsandcomparing thatwith information fromenvironmen-tal agencies, police, fire departments and others. They identifyenforcement targetsandprioritizeaccording tothe seriousness of offences, frequency of occurrenceand needs of stakeholders. They may develop a data-base of commercial information and intelligence regar-dingknowngenerators,transportersanddisposalsites,as well as cases of illegal trafficking and other hazardous wastecrimes.




In 2000, the World Customs Organization (WCO) ini-

inspectors and information specialists, EnvironmentalProtectionAgencycriminalinvestigators,stateandlocalwasteregulatoryauthoritiesandinspectors,linkedtolawenforcementandcustomsagenciesatportsinAsia.



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Inrecentyears,severalinternationaltaskforcesfocusedonwasteshipmentswere formed inresponsetocasesof illegal trafficking. For example, the Chinese authorities prosecutedan individual for illegal import of hazardouswastesmixedwithwastepaper fromtheUnitedStatesofAmericathatwasintendedforrecyclinginChina.TheUnited States’ environmental law enforcement authori-tiescooperatedintheinvestigationofthisindividual,whowasaUnitedStatescitizenandhisbusiness,whichwasbasedinCalifornia.MuchofthecommunicationbetweentheChineseandUnitedStates lawenforcementautho-ritiesproceededthroughInterpol,using itschannelsforpolicetopolicecommunicationbetweenStates.Informa-tionwasalsoshareddirectlybetweennationalandlocallawenforcementagencies.Theindividualwasprosecu-tedbytheChineseauthoritiesandreceivedasentenceoftenyearsinprisonwhilethe238metrictonsofwaste,falsely labelledasscrappaper,wasreturnedtoCalifor-nia.Theinternationalpublicitysurroundingthiscaseandthecriminalsanctions,servedasadeterrent.Tradersinwastepapertookadditionalmeasurestoensurethattheirshipmentscompliedwithenvironmentalprotectionlaws.The Chinese authorities reported that, after this prose-cution,lessthanonepercentofforeignwasteimportedintoChina failed tomeet standards, basedon randominspectionbycustomsagents.Furthermore, as a result of this case, authorities in theUnitedStatesrecognizedtheneedtobettercoordinatethestate, localandfederalagenciesinvolvedintheen-forcementoflawsgoverningtheexportofwasteforre-cycling,particularlythosewastesdestinedforChinaandotherpartsofAsia.TheUnitedStatesestablishedataskforce named Exodus Asia comprising customs agents,

1. Identify the national agencies that do, or should, formpartofyournationalhazardouswastetaskforce.2.Whatinternationalnetworksexistwhichmayhelpyouto detect and prosecute illegal traffic?


256 RESPONSES TO A SUSPECT HAZARDOUS WASTE SHIPMENT


6.1.2.1 Trailerexterior

Theinvestigatorshouldexaminethetrailerexterior,inclu-ding the undercarriage. All obvious identifiers should be notedandtraced.Acarefulexaminationofthetrailerforfingerprints is essential. Close attention should be paid tonaturalgrippingareassuchastheexteriorandinteriordoorsurfaces,roofandsides,airlineandelectricallineconnectionpointsandtyrerims.

Anysoilfoundinthetreadsofthetyresshouldbecollec-tedasevidence.Ifthetrailerhasbeenabandoned,thismayassistindeterminingwherethetrailerwaslocatedpriortobeingabandoned.Asearchshouldbemadeforany vehicle identification number. If none can be located, the trailer’s manufacturer should be immediately contac-ted so that the exact location of the identification number canbefound.

6.1.2.2 Off-loadingoperation

A safe and efficient method for the removal and exa-mination of chemical waste drums from a trailer mustbe established. There are several different techniqueswhichmaybeutilizedwhenoff-loadinghazardouswastecontainersfromatrailer.

One technique involves the use of a dual loading bayandanemptytrailer.Byplacingtheemptytrailerinthebaynexttothetrailercontainingthehazardouswastes,theinvestigatorwillbeabletoexamineandsampleeachcontainerasitisbroughtout.Adrumdollyoraspeciallyfitted forklift may be used to remove the hazardous was-tecontainers.Afterexaminationandsampling forche-micalevidence,thehazardouswastecontainersmaybeplacedontheemptytrailer.Anothermethodistoremovethecontainers,examineandsamplethem,priortopla-cingtheminasecurehazardouswastesstoragearea.Regardless of the method used, it is essential that allsafety regulations, including confined space regulations, befollowedcarefully.Thistypeofoperationwillrequirecontinuous air monitoring of the trailer’s interior atmos-phere.Theairshouldbemonitored forany increase inthepresenceofvolatileandsemi-volatilechemicalcom-pounds, flammable gases and oxygen depletion. Once the trailer has been completely unloaded, the interiorshould be carefully examined for fingerprints, discarded tools, documents, rubbish and any other physical evi-dence.

6.1.3 Investigations of hazardous waste tankers

Whenatankertruckissuspectedofhavingbeenusedfor illegal trafficking, several measures should be taken beforeanychemicalevidenceisremovedfromthetankerorbeforethecabofthevehicleissearchedforevidence.Theinvestigativestepswhichareimportantingatheringevidence of illegal trafficking include:6.1.3.1 Driverinterview

Thisisthebestsourceofinformationregardingtheac-tivities forwhich the tanker truckwasused.Thedriver

maybecooperativeandmaysupply informationregar-dingthematerialinthetankerandthesourceoftheha-zardouswastesorpointofgeneration.

6.1.3.2 Movementdocumentandpermits

If thedrivercannotorwillnotproduceaproperhazar-douswastestransportationpermitorahazardouswasteMovementDocument, the investigatorshouldnote thisandincludethisinformationinthereport.

6.1.3.3 Placards

Transportation departments normally require that ve-hicles transporting hazardous wastes bear placards.Thelackofplacardsonatankerorthepresenceofthewrong placards based upon field tests may be seen as evidenceofanefforttomisleadlawenforcementorregu-latory agency officials as to the tanker’s contents. Lack ofproperplacardsonthetankershouldbenotedbytheinvestigatorandshouldbeusedtosupportarequestforasearchwarrant.

6.1.3.4 Fieldtests

In many jurisdictions, the results of the field tests used toprotectthesafetyoftheinvestigativeteammayalsobe used as evidence of illegal trafficking. Meter readings for flammable vapours, radiological meter readings and pHtestscanallbeconductedwithoutremovingache-micalsamplefromthetanker.Thesesafetytestscanbeconducted on exterior surfaces, ports, exposed hosesoronanyleaksorgrounddischarges.Whiletheprimarypurpose of such field tests is to protect the health and safetyofthoseatthecrimescene,theresultsmayindi-catethepresenceofsomeformofhazardouswaste.

6.1.3.5 Tankerdischarges

It isvital that thepositionofanyswitchesorvalvesbenoted. Many tanker trucks have the dual ability to va-cuumaswellastodischargematerial.Bynotingthepo-sitionofallswitchesandvalves,theinvestigatormaybeabletoprovethatthetankerwasdischargingmaterialil-legally. In addition, the tanker’s manufacturer will be able tosupplytheinvestigatorwithinformationregardingthetanker’s discharge capabilities, for example, the number ofgallonsperminute.This information,combinedwiththeknown lengthofdischarge time,will help todeter-minetheactualamountofmaterialdischargedfromthetanker.

6.1.4 Tracing techniques

When tracinghazardouswastedrums, the investigatorhasfourareasofinquirytopursueinanattempttoiden-tifythesuspectsandtheseareoutlinedbelow.

6.1.4.1 Personorpersons

Aswithanyothertypeofcrime,thepersonscommittingtheenvironmentalcrimemayhaveleftbehindphysicalevidence which could lead the environmental investi-gator to their eventual identification. One of the most

6.1 Steps to follow for investigations

Shouldanillegalshipmentofhazardouswastesbesus-pected,fouressentialstepsshouldbefollowed:

(a) Assessthesituation;(b) Identifythehazardoussubstance;(c) Securethescene;(d) Reporttheincidenttorelevanthealth,safetyandre-

gulatorypersonnel.

Officers are taught in awareness training not to approach ascene involvinghazardousmaterials,but tostopandassess the situation, particularly before entering a confi-ned space. This is difficult to teach because the first res-ponseofmostlawenforcementpersonnelistorespondimmediately and take whatever action is necessary. Atasceneinvolvingahazardoussubstance,however,thecorrectactionmaybetotakenoimmediateactionatall.Officers need to assess the situation and restrain them-selves from entering a dangerous situation. Officers have beenkilledinthelineofdutybyenteringscenescontai-ning hazardous materials without taking appropriateprecautions.Additionalsafetyawarenessissuesaresetforthinsubsequentchapters.

6.1.1 Confined spaces and recommended ac-tions

A confined space is any space with limited openings for entryandexitandunfavourablenaturalventilationwhichcouldcontainorproducedangerousaircontaminants.Examples of confined spaces include trailers, holds of ships,storagetanks,processvessels,allofwhichmaybe encountered by Customs officers, particularly when investigatinganillegalshipmentofhazardousmaterialsorwastes.

Officers can keep themselves and others safe at a sce-ne if they followanddonotexceed the limitsof theirtraining.Injuriesanddamagemayhavealreadyoccur-red prior to the officers’ arrival. It is the officers’ respon-

sibilitytopreventfurtherinjuriesordamagebykeepingthemselvesandotherssafeandwaitingforassistance.Under no circumstances should an officer without pro-per training and equipment enter a confined space. When arriving at a suspected hazardous waste crimescene, the officer should approach from an upwind di-rection and remain at a distance from a potential re-lease. The officer should stabilize the situation until so-meonewiththerelevanttrainingarrivesandthenfollowtheirinstructions.

Thosewhohavenotbeentrainedtohandlehazardoussubstancesarewarnedthatimproperactionmayhavedevastatinghealtheffectsandcompromisetheinvesti-gation.Theyareadvisedtotakenoteofthefollowingprecautions:

(a) Do not open trailer doors of trucks suspected ofcontaininghazardoussubstances;

(b) Donotopentanks,drums,orothercontainersthatmaycontainhazardoussubstances;(c)Donotpresumethatwhatismarkedonalabel,drumorcontaineriswhatisinsidesinceillegaltraf-fickers often mix hazardous wastes with other ma-terials;

(d) Do not enter confined spaces that may contain ha-zardoussubstances.

6.1.2 Investigations of trailers

Theproper investigationofhazardouswastescontai-ned in trailers or other confined spaces requires time, patienceandplanningonthepartof the investigator.Ifthereisnoimmediatedangertopeopleortheenvi-ronment, itmaybe in thebest interestsof the inves-tigation to secure, seal and store the trailer until thenecessary resourcesandoff-loading facilities canbeobtained.

Writedownthenamesofyourcolleaguesandtheirareaofexpertiseshouldyouneedassistanceorad-

viceonhandlingasuspecthazardouswasteshipment!

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Source:PhotoSBC



valuable identifiers are fingerprints left behind by the suspects.Particularattentionshouldbepaidtotheed-gesandbottomsofcontainers,asthesearetheareaswherehandsarenaturallyplacedwhenmovingorliftingcontainers. Often, fingerprints may also be found on discardedemptycans,bottles,tools,cellophanewrap-persandtheinteriorofchemicalglovesutilizedbythesuspects.Inaddition,anyfootprintsleftbehindbythesuspects,indicatingshoesizeandtypeofshoe,willas-sist the environmental investigator in the identification process.

6.1.4.2 Otherphysicalevidence

When hazardous waste drums are shipped, perpetra-torshaveatendencytoabandonotheritemsalongwiththewaste.Itemssuchascashregisterreceipts,shop-ping bags, computer printouts, invoices, hand toolsandoldpumpsmayalsobefoundatthescene.Anyofthese items might supply information useful in identi-fyingthesuspects.Itshouldalsobenotedthatmanyoftheseitemscouldbefoundintheinteriorofthedrumsand,accordingly, the interiorofdrumswithremovabletopsshouldbeinspected.Anydocumentsfoundinsidedrumsshouldbecarefullypackaged for futureexami-nationandclearlymarkedsothatdocumentexaminersareawareofthepossibilityofhazardouswasteconta-mination.

6.1.4.3 Container

Informationfoundontheexteriorofthedrums,suchaslabels,writingonthedrumsandregulatoryinformationcanassisttheenvironmentalinvestigatorinlocatingthesuspected traffickers.

(a) Labels

Labels shouldbe recorded,photographedand re-movedwheneverpossible.Informationregardingtheoriginalmanufacturer, lot numbersand the typeofproductmaybelistedonthelabel.Ifthisinformationis present, the manufacturer should be contactedandalistofcustomersobtained.Theseconsumerscanthenbecheckedforprevioushazardouswasteshipmentsandpastregulatoryagencyinspections.

If theonly informationremainingonthe label isthe

productname,achemicalbuyersdirectorywillsup-ply the investigator with a list of companies thatmanufacturethatparticularproduct.Eachcompanyis likelytouseadifferent labeland,accordingly,bysupplyingthesecompanieswithphotographsofthelabelsrecoveredattheenvironmentalcrimescene,the actual chemical supplier may be identified and a customerlistobtained.

(b) Writingonthedrums

Handwritteninformationondrumsmaybeofgreatvaluetotheenvironmentalinvestigator.Similarnum-bercodesandwordpatternsfoundatdifferentcrimescenesmay linkthosecrimescenes. Inaddition,ahandwrittensequentialnumberingsystemfoundonthedrumsmaybeindicativeofapriorenvironmentalsurvey.Iftheexporterretainedaprivateenvironmen-talcompanytoinventoryandclassifythewastes,itwouldbeastandardindustrypracticeforthecom-pany tonumber thedrumssequentially for chemi-cal sample identification purposes and to provide theexporterwiththeresultsofthesampleanalysis,whichcouldbevaluableevidencefortheCustomsofficer.

6.1.4.4Departmentoftransportationinformation

Departmentsoftransportationoftenrequirethemanu-facturersofdrumstoplacecertaindataonthedrumsprior to their being filled with a hazardous material.

The two most important pieces of information listedabove are the month and year of the drum’s manufac-tureandthecodethatliststhenameandaddressofthedrummanufacturer.Thesetwo itemsalonemayassistthe investigator in both isolating and eliminating sus-pects.

The month and year of the drum’s manufacture is vital becauseofthesimplefactthat iteliminatessuspects.Whentheoriginalchemicalsupplierandchemicalnameisknown,theenvironmentalinvestigatormaylimithisorherlistofsuspectstothosecompaniesthatpurchasedthatparticularchemicalproductafterthedatefoundonthecontainer.Asaresult,anycompanythatpurchased

27

thatparticularchemicalproductpriortothedateiseli-minatedasasuspect.

The code listing of the drum manufacturer’s name and address can also assist. Many drums are manufactu-redwithparticular colour schemes (for example,bluedrumswithyellowtops).Achemicalmanufacturermayorderonlyonedrumcolourschemefromthedrumma-nufacturer.Once thedrummanufacturerhasbeen lo-cated,theyshouldbeshownaphotographofthedrumcontainingthesuspectedhazardouswaste.Ifthereareanydistinguishingfeaturesonthedrum,thedrumma-nufacturermaybeabletoidentifythechemicalproductmanufacturerthatpurchasedthedrum.

Fieldofusedlead-acidbatteriesinCambodia Source:PhotoSBC

The following designations are illustrative of the type ofinformationonsuchdrums:

UN = UnitedNations;1A2 = 1(drum),A(steel),2(openhead);Y = PackagingforgroupIIandIIItests;1.2 = Specific gravity or mass for package design;100 = Pressuretestinkilopacals (hydrostatictest);5/96 = Monthandyearofdrummanufacture;US = Countryoforigin;M4709= Codefornameandaddress orsymbolofdrummanufacturer.

You can find the UN Recommendations on the Transport of DangerousGoods,ModelRegulationsathttp://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm

1.Whatarethefouressentialstepswhichshouldbefollowedwhen investigatinga suspected illegal ship-

mentofhazardouswastes?


11

tiatedanetworkcalledCustomsEnforcementNetwork(CEN).TheaimofthisnetworkistolinkallCustomsad-ministrationsforenforcementpurposesandprovidethemwith a common database and reference system. Anynational Customs administration should be connectedtoCENthroughitsWCONationalContactand,equallyimportant,shouldcontributetothefurtherdevelopmentof CEN. Your Regional Intelligence Liason Office (RICO) willalsoprovideavaluabletoolforinternationalcoope-ration.


Therearemanyotherexamplesofsuccessful interna-tional hazardous waste task forces around the world,many of which are focused on border crossings andcommontraderoutesforwastesandothercontrabandsubstances.5.1 National cooperation – hazardous

waste task forces



Thestructureof the task forceshouldbesimple,com-posedofatleastonememberrepresentingeachagencyandataskforceleader.Becauseeachagencyinvolvedexpects some benefit from the work of the task force, it is the leader’s responsibility to be familiar with the needs andinterestsofalltheagencies.Thetaskforcemembersmaybeappointedbytheirrespectiveagencieswhilethemembers or their agencies normally choose the taskforceleader.Theentiretaskforceshouldmeet,withanagenda,atleastonceamonth.




collating information and intelligence from Customsandcomparing thatwith information fromenvironmen-tal agencies, police, fire depa rtments and others. They identifyenforcement targetsandprioritizeaccording tothe seriousness of offences, frequency of occurrenceand needs of stakeholders. They may develop a data-base of commercial information and intelligence regar-dingknowngenerators,transportersanddisposalsites,as well as cases of illegal trafficking and other hazardous wastecrimes.




In 2000, the World Customs Organization (WCO) ini-

prising customs agents, inspectors and informationspecialists, Environmental Protection Agency criminalinvestigators,stateandlocalwasteregulatoryauthoritiesandinspectors,linkedtolawenforcementandcustoms



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Inrecentyears,severalinternationaltaskforcesfocusedonwasteshipmentswere formed inresponsetocasesof illegal trafficking. For example, the Chinese authorities prosecutedan individual for illegal import of hazardouswastesmixedwithwastepaper fromtheUnitedStatesofAmericathatwasintendedforrecyclinginChina.TheUnited States’ environmental law enforcement authori-tiescooperatedintheinvestigationofthisindividual,whowasaUnitedStatescitizenandhisbusiness,whichwasbasedinCalifornia.MuchofthecommunicationbetweentheChineseandUnitedStates lawenforcementautho-ritiesproceededthroughInterpol,using itschannelsforpolicetopolicecommunicationbetweenStates.Informa-tionwasalsoshareddirectlybetweennationalandlocallawenforcementagencies.Theindividualwasprosecu-tedbytheChineseauthoritiesandreceivedasentenceoftenyearsinprisonwhilethe238metrictonsofwaste,falsely labelledasscrappaper,wasreturnedtoCalifor-nia.Theinternationalpublicitysurroundingthiscaseandthecriminalsanctions,servedasadeterrent.Tradersinwastepapertookadditionalmeasurestoensurethattheirshipmentscompliedwithenvironmentalprotectionlaws.The Chinese authorities reported that, after this prose-cution,lessthanonepercentofforeignwasteimportedintoChina failed tomeet standards, basedon randominspectionbycustomsagents.Furthermore, as a result of this case, authorities in theUnited States recognized the need to better coordina-te the state, local and federal agencies involved in the

enforcementof lawsgoverningtheexportofwastefor recycling,particularly thosewastesdestined forChina and other parts of Asia. The United Statesestablisheda task forcenamedExodusAsia com-

1. Identify the national agencies that do, or should, formpartofyournationalhazardouswastetaskforce.2.Whatinternationalnetworksexistwhichmayhelpyouto detect and prosecute illegal traffic?


297 MODEL INVESTIGATION INTO ILLEGAL TRAFFIC OF HAZARDOUS WASTES


the incident coordinator, who may be a fire chief, police officer, or a representative from a regulatory agency) to obtain information regarding the initial reportingof theincident, namesofpossiblewitnessesanda listingofthose first on the scene who may have had physical contact with the crime scene. These individuals mayhaveinadvertentlycontaminatedthecrimesceneanditmaybecomenecessarytoobtainsamplesoftheirfoot-prints, fingerprints or vehicle tyre tracks. These sam-ples can then be compared to any physical evidenceleft behind by the suspects. Any evidence identified as belonging to those first on the scene can then be elimi-nated.

Those persons may have conducted initial field tests on thechemicalevidence(forexample,pH,L.E.Lorlowerexplosivelimit,radiological).Ifanysuchtestshavebeencompleted prior to the arrival of the investigator, theresults and methods must be obtained as these mayhelp determine the types of analysis that will need tobe conducted on the chemical evidence. In addition,the investigator must determine if the initial field testing methods caused any possible cross-contamination ofthechemicalevidence.

7.4.1 Crime scene coordinator

Thecrimescenecoordinatoristheprimaryenvironmen-tal investigator assigned to the criminal investigationandresponsibleforthecrimesceneuntilthesearchisclosed.Theresponsibilitiesof thecrimescenecoordi-nator at each stage of an investigation are identified in thefollowingparagraphs.

7.4.2 Safety officer

A safety officer must be present during any search or chemicalevidencegatheringoperationinvolvinghazar-douswastes.All issuesregardingpersonnelsafetyarethe responsibility of the safety officer. A hazardous ma-terialsteam,themedicalteamandthedecontaminationteam should report directly to the safety officer. This indi-vidualwillalsodeterminethelevelofpersonalprotectiveequipmenttobewornbythoseenteringanydesignatedhotzoneandthedecontaminationprocedurestobefol-lowed.Thecollectionofchemicalevidenceshouldnotbegin without the safety officer’s knowledge and appro-val. It is essential that the safety officer and crime scene coordinatorbeincontinuouscommunicationwitheachotherthroughoutallevidencegatheringactivities.

7.4.3 Hazardous materials team

The hazardous materials team acts as support andemergency rescue for the investigative team and thesamplingteamworkingwithinthedesignatedhotzoneor confined space. The number of support personnel presentshouldequalthenumberofpersonnelinthein-vestigative or sampling team within a hot zone or confi-nedspace.

7.4.4 Decontamination

Scenesofcrimewherehazardouswastehasbeenaban-donedmay involvechemical,biologicalor radiologicalhazards.Thedecontaminationproceduretobefollowedbyindividualsexitingadesignatedhotzonewillbede-termined by the safety officer based upon the hazards involved.Thisproceduremay includesimply removingand bagging contaminated clothing. However, it maybe necessary for all personnel exiting the hot zone togothroughamultiplewash-downprocedure.Thispro-cedure may produce contaminated wastewater whichshouldbepumpedintoarecoverydrum,sampledanddisposedof.

7.4.5 Emergency medical assistance

Whether or not to have a hazardous materials-certified medical team at a hazardous waste crime scene willdependonseveralfactorssuchasanevaluationofthehazardinvolved,thelocationofthenearestmedicalfaci-lity.andtheweatherconditions.Ifthechemicalhazardspresentat thecrimescene require theuseof fullyen-capsulatedchemicalsuits(LevelA),itisrecommendedthat thehazardousmaterialsmedical teambepresentwhileevidenceisbeinggathered.

7.4.6 Sampling team

Sampling is the most difficult and dangerous activity conductedatanysceneofcrimewherehazardouswas-tehasbeenabandoned.Thepropergatheringofchemi-calevidencegoes farbeyondcollecting liquidorsolidsamples and placing them in containers. Those doingsamplingmustbeconcernedwithsuchissuesasperso-nal safety,evidencecross-contamination,propersam-plingmethodologyandmaintainingthechainofcustodyfor the chemical evidence. The sampling team shouldbefullybriefedbythesceneofcrimecoordinatorastowhich hazardous waste containers are to be sampledand what types of analyses will be conducted on thechemicalevidence.

7.4.7 Science officer and the laboratory team

Manyjurisdictionsmaylacktheresourcesnecessarytoenablealaboratoryteamtorespondtoasceneofcrimewhere hazardous waste has been abandoned and theenvironmental investigatormayneedtorelyontheex-pertiseofthesamplingteamwhendealingwithsuchis-suesasequipmentsterilizationandtheproperrecordingof sampling methodologies. However, if a laboratoryteam is available, it should include at least one qualified forensicchemistandthemembersoftheteammustbetrained inthehandlingofcriminalevidenceandhazar-dousmaterials.Eachpieceofequipmentusedtocollectchemical evidence must be thoroughly inspected andsterilizedby the laboratory teamprior tobeingutilized

7.1 Multidisciplinary approach to hazar-dous waste investigations

Successful investigation and prosecution of illegal traffic-kersinhazardouswastesrequiretheapplicationofseve-raldifferentdisciplines.Environmentalinvestigatorsmusthavebasicpoliceskillssuchasinterviewingandinterroga-tion,surveillanceandexperienceintheproperhandlingofevidence.Inaddition,theymustbringateamtrainedandequippedtogatherphysicalevidenceatanenvironmentalcrimescene.Thisrequiresexpertiseinthehandlingofha-zardousmaterialsandanunderstandingoftheappropriateenvironmentallaws,supportingregulationsandhazardouswaste sampling and analysis protocols. Officers must ap-proachall potential hazardouswaste siteswith caution.Individualswithoutproper training indealingwithhazar-douswastesshouldnotenterthesite.Thesafe,effectiveandproperinvestigationofthistypeofcaserequiresthecommitmentofspeciallytrainedindividuals.

Thecrimescene investigation teamshould include,ataminimum,twoenvironmentalinvestigators,twoindividualstrained inobtainingchemicalevidencesamples,acrimescene safety officer, an emergency backup safety team, and a science officer. For safety reasons, the so-called “buddysystem”shouldbeutilizedwheneveranapproachtohazardouswastes ismade, for instance,environmen-tal investigators and sampling team. The science officer shouldbeanindividualwithastrongchemistrybackgroundsuchasaforensicchemist.Thistypeofteamformulationbringstogethertheanalytical,sampling,safetyandscien-cedisciplinesthatarerequiredtoproperlyconductanin-vestigationintocriminalhazardouswasteabandonment.

7.2 Standard operating procedures

It is recommended that standardoperatingproceduresbe established to ensure the health and safety of theenvironmentalinvestigatorsworkinginareaswhichmaycontain hazardous wastes. These procedures shouldcomprise the organizational work plan, site evaluation,sitecontrol,monitoring,personalprotectiveequipment,andcommunicationsanddecontaminationprocedures.In addition, it is recommended that standard evidencegatheringproceduresbeincorporatedintotheoperatingprocedures, including note taking, removal of finger-prints,tyretrackandfootprintcastings,thecrimescenesketch,crimescenephotographyandevidencechain-of-custodyprocedures.2

Therearetypicallytwostagestothesearchofthecrimescene, the first being traditional evidence gathering by thecriminalinvestigationteamandthesecondchemicalevidencegatheringbythesamplingteam.Theseproce-duresaredescribedbelow.

7.3 Locating and using resources

One of the most difficult challenges facing the environ-mentalinvestigatorislocatingandutilizingtheresourcesnecessary toeffectivelygatherevidenceatanenviron-mentalcrimescene.

(a)Safetyresources

Wheneverthepresenceofhazardoussubstancesissuspectedatanenvironmentalcrimescene,aquali-fied safety officer, a backup team and decontamina-tion facilities are needed. The first step in locating sa-fety resources is the identification of a local hazardous material response team. In some jurisdictions, thisteam may fall under the control of the local fire de-partment,whileinothersitmaybeafunctionofthelocal police department. There is a mutual benefit in havingtrainedinvestigatorsandhazardousmaterialsteamemergencyrespondersworkingandtrainingto-gether.Mosthazardousmaterialsteamsaredesignedtomitigatedangeroussituationsinvolvingthereleaseorpotentialreleaseofhazardouschemicals,butarenormallynottrainedinthecriminalinvestigationtech-niquesnecessarytosecureaprosecution.

(b)Samplingresources

Thepropergatheringofchemicalevidenceiscrucialtothesuccessofanycriminalenvironmentalinvesti-gation.Thepersonnelutilizedforthisproceduremustbehighlytrainedinsafety,hazardouswastesamplingand the handling of criminal evidence. Sometimes,localandstateregulatoryagencieshavesuchindivi-dualsavailabletoassisttheinvestigator.

7.4 Arrival at the hazardous waste crime scene

Uponarrivalat thecrimescene, theenvironmental in-vestigatorshouldlocatetheindividualincharge(usually

2“Chainofcustody”referstotracingofanitemofevidencefromthepointatwhichitwascollectedtopresentationoftheevidence(ortheresultsoftestsontheevidence)atacriminaltrial.Itisaprocessusedtomaintainanddocumentthechronologicalhistoryofthespecimen,recordingeachpersonwhotakescustodyofaspecimen,andthedateofeachtransferofcustody.Thisisnecessarytodefendagainstallegationsoftamperingormisconductthatmaybeusedbythedefence.

Makesureyouknowwhomtocontactwhenyouarefacedwithacrimescene!!

Doyouhavethecontactdetailsforthemedicalfacili-tiesinyourcountryequippedtoaddressmedicalpro-

blemsresultingfromcontactswithhazardoussubstances?


at thecrimesceneanda full recordof thesterilizationprocedureshouldbemaintained.

Onceatthecrimescene,thelaboratoryteamwillmain-tainarecordofthesamplesthathavebeentaken,whatscientific field tests have been conducted and the re-sultsofthesetests.Inaddition,theywillmaintainalogof the sampling methodology utilized by the samplingteam. The laboratory team follow procedures that willrule out any possibility of cross-contamination or out-sidecontaminationofthechemicalevidencetomaintaintheintegrityoftheevidence.Attheclosureofthecrimescenethelaboratoryteamwilltakecustodyoftheche-micalevidenceandtransportittoalaboratoryorchemi-calevidencestoragearea.

It is recommended that a qualified individual be appoin-ted the site science officer at the crime scene. This indi-vidual may assist the investigator in the identification of variouschemicalwasteproductsandindeterminingthepropersamplingandanalyticalmethodologiesrequiredbased upon field test results.

7.5 Traditional evidence gathering in the hot zone

7.5.1 Equipment

Mostsuccessfulcriminalinvestigations,betheyburgla-ries, arsons or homicides, depend upon the investigator’s abilitytoexamineandgatherphysicalevidence.Eveninsituationswhereevidencetechniciansaregatheringthephysicalevidence,thisisnormallydoneunderthedirectsupervisionofthecriminalinvestigator.Thissamebasicinvestigative principle also applies to criminal environ-mentalinvestigations.Thecriminalenvironmentalinves-tigatormustbeequippedwiththepropercrimescene,safety and field monitoring equipment for a safe and properexaminationofanyphysicalevidencefoundatanenvironmentalcrimescene.

Onceallthepersonnelatthecrimescenehasbeenfullybriefedandthesafetyprotocolsestablished,thecrimescenecoordinatorandhisorherpartnerwillenter thehot zone and commence the evidence gathering ope-ration. To safely and efficiently complete this task, the investigatorsmusthavetheproperequipmentwiththemwhenenteringthehotzone.Thetypeandscopeofthechemical hazards will dictate the equipment require-mentsforthecrimesceneinvestigationteam.

Therearemanybasicforensicinvestigativetoolsthatwillbeusedatmostenvironmentalcrimescenes. It ises-sentialthatthisequipmentbeproperly inventoriedandtestedprior toentry intothehotzone.Thisequipmentshould include a complete battery change for all por-table electronic equipment including field test devices, cameras, camera flash units, video cameras and com-municationsequipment.Fieldtestingdevicesshouldbecalibrated and tested prior to entry into the trailer. Allsafetyequipmentshouldbeexaminedcarefully. If res-piratorsaregoingtobeused,thecartridgesshouldbenewanddesignedforrespiratoryprotectionbasedupon

the hazard present. If self-contained breathing appa-ratus is tobeused,all air tanksshouldbecompletelyfilled. There should be enough safety and sampling glo-vesavailabletoallowforathreelayersystem.Thiswillallow for the outer layer to be changed after handlingcontaminatedevidenceinsidethetrailer,toavoidcrosscontamination that may skew future analytical resultsandaffect theoverallqualityof thechemicalevidencecollectionandanalyticalprocess.

Eachindividualpieceofequipmentshouldbelaidoutonalargetarpaulin.Thiswillassistinprotectingtheequi-pment from dirt and ground moisture. These prepara-tionproceduresareessentialduetothesimplefactthatanynon-functionalormissingpieceofequipmentmustbereplaced.Thiswill,inalllikelihood,requiretheentirecrimesceneinvestigationteamtoexitthecrimesceneandreceiveafulldecontamination,costingtime,energyandvaluableresources.

Samplingplacardsmaybenumberedpriortotheentryinto thecrimescene.Extrablankplacardsmaybe ta-kenintothecrimescene;howeverapermanentmarkershouldnotbeusedinthepresenceofchemicalevidence.Thisisduetothechemicalmakeupofpermanentmar-kingpens.Manyof thesemarking instrumentscontainvolatileorganiccompounds(forexample,2-ethoxyetha-nol:CAS#110-80-5,2-methoxyethano:CAS#109-86-4)whichmay,inadvertently,actasaninterferentduringthesamplingandanalyticalprocess.Foratypicalhazardouswasteabandonmentcrimescene involvingabandoneddrums, the investigating team’s equipment should in-clude:

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7.5.2 Tasks

Themain tasksof the crime scene investigation teamaretoidentifyandcollecttraditionalevidenceandtheplacardingofthosecontainersthataretobesampled.Theactualnumberofcontainers thatwillbesampledwilldependuponavarietyoffactors,includingbudge-tarylimitationsandstatutoryrequirements.

The investigation team should not enter the hot zoneuntilallequipmentandsafetyprotocolshavebeensa-tisfied. A safety backup team should be standing by to assistthemincaseofanemergency.

• Appropriate chemical clothing (Fully encapsulatingsuit)baseduponthesuspectedchemicalhazard.

• Steel-toed,chemical-proofboots.• Appropriatechemicalglovesbaseduponthesuspec-

tedchemicalhazard.

• Severalpairsofsurgicalgloves.• Aself-containedbreathingapparatuswithafull60mi-

nuteairbottleandaspare60minuteairbottle.• Analuminium(non-sparking)clipboard.

• Apenforcrimescenenotes.• A bold marker for filling in sample point identification

informationonthesamplingplacards.• Several pre-printed placards for sample point identifi-

cation.

• DuctTape,magneticclipsorsuctioncupclipsforattachingsamplingplacardstothehazardouswas-tecontainers.

• An L.E.L./O2 meter for atmosphere flammabilityreadings.

• A radiologicalmetercapableofdetermining thepre-senceofalphaparticles,betaparticlesorgammarays(geigercounter).

• pHpaperandpHchart.• Awaterproofauto-focuscamerawithsealedelectro-

nic flash.

• Evidencebagsofassortedsizes.

• A beryllium (spark proof) bung wrench which is ca-pable of opening various types of hazardous wastecontainers.

• Aknifecapableofcutting tape.This itemshouldbetapedtothecalfoftheenvironmentalinvestigatorandmaybeusedunderemergencyconditionstocutawayandremoveaseverelycontaminatedchemicalsuit.

• A fingerprint kit equipped with various dusting powders, brushes and fingerprint lifting tape.

•Astethoscopefortheaudiomonitoringofanycontai-nerwhichappearstobeswollen.

• Communicationequipmentwhichwill allow forhands-freeoperationanddirectcommunicationwiththesafetyofficer and other individuals working within the hot zone.

• Goggles

•Binoculars• Flashlight• FirstAidKit

•Measuringtape• Trashbags• Compass

•Emergencyresponsebook•CartridgeRespirator• Dosimeter

•Chemicaldictionary•Sterilizedsamplebottles

Whileinsidethehotzone,theinvestigativeteamshouldat-tempttocompletethefollowingevidencegatheringtasks:

Photographtheentireundisturbedcrimescenefromallangles.

Completearadiologicalsurveyoftheentirecrimescene.The radiological survey should begin at the outermostperimeter,with continuous readingsbeingmadeup tothesurfaceareasofallhazardouswastecontainers.

Completeameterreadingtodetermineifanypotentiallyflammable gases are present.

Determine if thematerial hasbeenspilledor is leakingfromthehazardouswastecontainers.

Determineifanyofthehazardouswastecontainersap-peartobeswollen.Thisisanindicationthatthematerialinsidethecontainersmaybeunderextremepressure.

Determineifanyofthehazardouswastecontainersaremakingnoise.Suchnoisesmaybepingsorpops.Thesesounds may be spaced several seconds apart. If theybecomemorerapid,thehotzoneshouldbeevacuatedimmediately. This may be an indication that the metalcontainer isstretchingduetoextreme interiorpressureand that the container may be on the verge of catas-trophic failure.This audioexaminationmaybeaccom-plished through the use of a stethoscope. Any interiorcontainer noise should be reported to the safety officer immediately.

Determineifthereareanysignsofwastecrystallization.Thismaybeindicativeofexplosiveperoxidesorsodiumcyanide.Anysignsofproductcrystallizationshouldbereported to the safety officer immediately.

Note,photographandcast,anyfootprintsortyretrackspresent.

Note, photograph and lift any fingerprints on the hazar-douswastecontainers.Specialattentionshouldbepaidtobottomsurfacesofanydrumsorcans.Thesearethenaturalgrippingareasusedtoliftthesetypesofcontai-ners.Ifthesuspectsliftedthecontainerswithoutgloves,thebottomsurfaceswillbethemostlikelyareasinwhichfingerprints may be found.

PhotographandrecordanyDepartmentofTransporta-tioninformation,alllabelinformationandothermarkingsonthecontainers.Ifthelabelislegibleandcanberemo-vedintact,itshouldberecoveredandplacedinanevi-dencebag.Manylabelsmayhaveillegible,yetpotentiallyvaluable,informationonthem.Iftheycannotberemovedintact, the metal area surrounding the label should becarefully cutout after thechemical evidencehasbeenremoved.Thisprocedurewillrequirethatthehazardouswastebetransferredtoarecoverydrum.Itmayalsore-quirenumerousrinseswhichwillproducecontaminatedwastewater,whichshouldbecontainedanddisposedof properly. This type of evidence recovery is difficult and should be done only under the supervision of qualified chemists and hazardous material trained personnel. Inaddition,everyeffortshouldbemadetoidentifytheche-mical waste and its characteristics prior to attemptingthistypeofevidencerecovery.Atthecompletionofthisoperation,thecutpieceofmetalandtheattachedillegi-ble labelshouldbesent to thedocumentsdepartmentofacrimelaboratory.Informationonfadedlabelsmayberaisedusingdocumentenhancement techniques,suchas infrared and infrared fluorescence.

Carefully search the surrounding ground area for anyother formofphysicalevidence.Anyclosedhazardouswastecontainersshouldbe liftedor tiltedso that theirundersidesandthegroundareaunderneaththecontai-nersmaybeexaminedforpossiblephysicalevidence.



Once at the crime scene, a communications checkshouldbemadetoensurethatthemembersofthein-vestigationteamhavedirectradiocommunicationwitheachotherandanysafetypersonnel.Alargeimpervioustarpaulin should be spread out on a flat surface area neartheentrancetothehotzone.Thiswillserveasatemporaryequipmentstorageareaforthecrimesceneequipment that will be used during the course of theenvironmentalinvestigation.Immediatelyfollowingthis,the environmental investigators must conduct a com-pleteradiologicalsurveyoftheentirecrimescene.Thesurvey instrumentmustbecapable, at aminimum,ofdetectingalpha,betaandgammaradiation.Theradio-logical survey should begin outside the crime scene,withcontinuousreadingsbeingmadeupto thesurfa-ce areas of the hazardous waste containers or to the

pointatwhicha2mr(millirem)readingisobtained.Eachcontainershouldbeopenedandasurveyprobeshouldthenbeplacednearorattheopeningofeachcontainer.Thereasonforthisisthatalphaandbetaparticlesmaybe shielded from detection by the container’s compo-sition.Asimplemailingenvelopewillshieldalphapar-ticlesandametalcontainermayshieldbetaparticles.Eachdrumshouldberesealedprior to theopeningofanother drum for examination. The survey instrument’s readings, including negative readings, must be recor-ded and maintained. It is an acceptable practice totransmit this type of information to another individuallocatedoutsidethecontaminatedarea.Heorshecanthen make the appropriate entries in the crime scenerecordstherebyreducingthenumberoftasksrequiredbythecrimesceneinvestigationteam.

An L.E.L./O2 reading should also be conducted wi-thinthehotzone.Thiswilldetermine ifanypotentiallyflammable gases are present. As with the radiological readings, theprobeorsensorunitontheL.E.L.metershouldbeplacedatorneartheopeningofanysuspec-ted containers. An oxygen (O2) measurement shouldbeconductedimmediatelyaftertheL.E.L.reading.TheO2metershouldbekeptonatalltimesandtheauto-matic audible alarms shouldbe set forbothhighandlowreadings.Ahighoxygenreading(>21%)mayposea significant fire hazard. A low oxygen reading may be anindicationthatanunknownchemicalsubstancehasdisplacedtheoxygen.TheresultsoftheinitialL.E.L./O2monitoringevent,includinganynegativeresults,shouldberecordedinthecrimescenerecord

Thenextstep in the investigativeprocess is toobtainoverallphotographsandvideotapefootageofthecrimescene.Thephotographsandvideotapeswilldepictthecrimesceneasitwaswhenenteredbythecrimesceneinvestigationteam.Theywillnot,inalllikelihood,depictanundisturbedcrimescene.Thisisduetothefactthatemergency response personnel may have previouslyenteredthecrimescene.Thepurposeofstillphotogra-phyandvideotaping is to record thecrimesceneandanyevidenceitmaycontain.Itisnotdonetorecordtheactivitiesofacrimescene investigation teamorsam-plingteam.Undernocircumstancesshouldtheactionsof these groups be recorded on film. The written record contained in thecrimescenenotes shouldaccuratelyrecreate the actions of the crime scene investigationteamandsamplingteams.

Atthispointintheenvironmentalinvestigation,traditio-nalevidenceshouldbesearchedfor,photographedandcollected. This may include footprints, fingerprints, rub-bishandanyotheritemdeterminedtobeofevidentiaryvalue.Iffootprintsarefoundwithinthetrailer,itmaybedifficult to differentiate between those of the suspects and those of the emergency personnel. One methodofdealingwith this issue is to identify theemergencypersonnelwhohadpreviouslyenteredthetrailer.Inves-tigativelawenforcementpersonnelshouldmakeeveryeffort to locate those persons before they leave thescene. Footprint impressions of their footwear shouldbe taken and photographed. They can later be com-paredtoallfootprintevidencefoundnearorinsidethe

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trailer.Shoulditbedecidedthatfootprintortyretrackcastingsaretobetaken,everyeffortmustbemadetoprotect these items from theelementsandaccidentaldestruction.

Eachhazardouswastecontainershouldbeexaminedformetalstress.Avisualinspectionmayindicatethatthetoporsidesofthecontainerareswollen.Thisisindica-tiveofachemicalreactionoccurringinsidethecontai-ner.Thebuild-upofinternalgasseswillnormallyforceanexpansionofthetoporsidesofametaldrum.Thistype of container is extremely dangerous and remoteopeningoptionsshouldbeexplored.Ametalcontainerwhich indicates an expansion on the top and bottomareas is indicative of a prior freezing of the container’s contents.Thisobservationmaybeveryvaluableinde-terminingthehistoryofthesetypesofcontainers.

Locating and lifting fingerprints while wearing the requi-red safety equipment can be an extremely difficult task. ThisisespeciallytruewhenwearinglevelAprotectiveequipment. Due to the reduced visibility and dexteri-tyassociatedwiththewearingofPPE,there isaverygood chance that fingerprints may be destroyed during the lifting process. It is essential that any fingerprints foundwithinthetrailerbephotographedwitha1to1camera prior to their removal. The collection of finger-printevidenceisjustoneofthemanydisciplinesinvol-vedinenvironmentalforensicsthatmustbecontinuallypracticedbyinvestigativelawenforcementpersonnel.

Otherformsoftraditionalevidence,suchassoftdrinkcans,emptycigarettepacks,ordocumentationmaybecontaminatedfromspillsorleaksinsidethecrimesce-ne.Theseitemsshouldbephotographedandplacedinathreelayerevidencecontainmentsystem.Thecrimescenesketchshouldclearlyindicatewhereeachoftheitems was found. There are specific surface areas on ha-zardouswastecontainers,suchas55gallondrumsthatarenormallyused forgripping, liftingandmoving (forexample,near the topandbottom rims).Theseareasmust be searched thoroughly for fingerprints. Each containershouldalsobesearchedforanynumbersthatmay identify the container’s manufacturer. This informa-tion,alongwithanyother labelsormarkings,maybecriticaltotheinvestigationandmustberecordedinthecrimescenerecordandphotographed.Ifalegiblelabelisfounditshouldberemovedandplacedinanevidencebag. Most labels are affixed to the container with some typeofglue.Applyingheattothelabelmaysoftentheglue thereby making the label easier to remove. Heatmaybeappliedthroughtheuseofanintrinsicallysafe,portablehairdryer.However,thistechniqueshouldnotbeusedifthechemicalevidenceinsidethecontainersis thermal reactive or if the chemicals are producingflammable vapours. The location of the labels removed andanycontainermanufacturerinformationshouldbeplacedonthesketchof thecontainer.Eachcontainershouldbeliftedandtiltedandtheundersideexaminedforpossiblephysicalevidence.

Fifty-five gallon containers will normally have one or twosmallentryportsonthetopofthecontainer,com-monlyreferredtoasabunghole.Somecontainersmay

alsohavelidsthatarecompletelyremovable.Shouldacontainer havea removable lid, it shouldbe removedandthe interiorof thecontainersearchedforphysicalevidence.Thesearchmustincludeanyareasbelowanyexisting liquid surface, and this can be accomplishedthrough the use of a probe. However, the probe mayonlybeusedononecontainerandmustnotbereused;thereuseofaprobewillcausecrosscontaminationofthe chemical evidence. The crime scene investigationteamcanvisuallyexaminethechemicalwasteinthesetypesofcontainers.Thiscanbeaccomplishedthroughtheuseofacompositeliquidwastesamplingtube(forexample,coliwasatube).Thisdevicewillallowforavi-sualinspectionofthechemicallayeringthatmayoccurin these typesofcontainers.The resultsof thisvisualinspection should be recorded in the crime scene re-cordandshouldbediscussedwiththesamplingteam.

Inadditiontothevisualexaminationoftheactualwas-te, twoothermethodsshouldbeemployed tohelp indetermining which containers should be sampled. Anexamination of any hazard labels (for example, flamma-bleorcorrosive,mayassistindeterminingthecharac-teristicsof thechemicalwaste.However,a labelsuchas this is indicative of the type of chemical that wasoriginallyinthecontainerandmaynothaveanybearingonthetypeofchemicalthatiscurrentlypresent.Tobet-ter characterize the waste, field testing instruments may be used (for a description of the field tests, see section 7.9below).

Afterthecrimesceneinvestigationteamhascollectedallofthetraditionalevidence,placardedtheappropriatecontainers for sampling, and photographed the entirecrimescene,theyshouldexitthecrimesceneareaandproceed to the decontamination area. When workingwithalimitedairsupply(forexample,whenusingaself-containedbreathingapparatus), the investigatorsmayfind that several entries into the crime scene are requi-redtocompletealloftheinvestigativetasksdescribedabove. Investigative law enforcement personnel mustavoidanypolicythatallowsasingleteamtocompletethetraditionalevidencecollectionandcollectchemicalevidencesamples.Themultitudeofinvestigativetasks,the complexity of sampling, and the inherent hazardsassociated with hazardous chemical evidence collec-tionactivitiesclearlymakesthisapoorpolicy.

Aftercompletingtheappropriatedecontaminationpro-tocol, the investigation team should confirm that all evidenceremovedfromthecrimescenehasbeenpro-perly labelled and secured, including any sketches, film, digitalmediaorvideorecordings.After this, thecrimesceneinvestigationteamshouldconductapost-searchbriefing.

7.6 Post-search briefing

The post-search briefing is a crucial element of the cri-me scene investigation. The safety officer, science offi-cer,safetyteamandthesamplingteamshouldattendthe briefing. This will allow the entire investigative law enforcementteamtobebroughttogetherinaneffortto

Asketchshouldbemadeoftheentirecrimesceneinclu-dingthepositionandlocationofeachhazardouswastecontainer,andthelocationofanyotherphysicaleviden-cerecovered.

OpeneachdrumandundertaketheL.E.L.andradiologi-caltests.TheL.E.L.readingshouldbetakendirectlyoverthe exposed hazardous wastes. This will assist in de-termining if any flammable vapours are being produced bythehazardouswastes.Aradiologicalreadingshouldbe taken directly over the exposed hazardous wastes.Radioactive alpha and beta particles may be shieldedby theplasticormetalwhichmakesup thehazardouswastecontainer’sconstruction.

If thehazardouswastecontainershaveremovable lids,removethelidsandexaminetheinteriorsofthecontai-ners.Theinteriorsofthesecontainersmaycontainotherphysical evidence, such as trash and smaller contai-ners.

Conduct a field pH test on the hazardous waste to assist indeterminingthetypesofchemicalanalysiswhichwillbeneededtofurthertheinvestigation

Physically examine the hazardous wastes using a Co-liwasaTube.Thiswillsupplyavisualperspectiveofthewastecolumnandmayassist indetermininganalyticalneeds.

Placardandphotographeachhazardouswastecontai-ner thathasbeenselected forsampling.Thesamplingplacardshouldcontain,ataminimum,agencyinforma-tion, the current date and the field sample number. Tape, magnets and suction cup devices can be used to se-cure theplacards inplace. The simple act of securingthe sample placards in their positions can be a difficult, timeconsumingandfrustratingtaskwhenfacedwithastiffdraftorgreasysurface.However,theplacingandsecuringoftheseplacardsateachsamplepointwillassistthesampleteaminlocatingtheexactlocationofeachsamplepoint.



establish specific team assignments and to prepare a planofactionthatwillensurethatthechemicaleviden-ce is collected in a safe, efficient, and legally acceptable manner. The briefing also provides the opportunity for the investigation team to relay to the others their ob-servationsduringtheinitialsearchandallowotherstoreviewanysketches,photographs,videotapes,ordatafrom any field tests results.

The post-search briefing will assist the safety officer in establishingtheappropriatesafetyplanbeforethesam-pleteambeginsthesamplingoperation.Thesafetyplanmust address such issues as emergency evacuationprocedures,emergencymedicalcare,communications,PPErequirements,allowableworkingtimes,specializedsafety equipment (for example, in a confined space), expectedweatherconditionsanddecontamination re-quirements.

The post-search briefing will also serve to establish the sampling team. This should include the identification of theleadsamplerandtheassistantsampler.Additional-ly,thesamplingteammustbeadvisedastothelocationanddescription(suchaslocation,matrixorvolume)ofeachsamplepointsothattheappropriatesampleplancanbecreated.

The reviewof the informationobtainedduring the ini-tialcrimesceneinvestigation,whencombinedwiththesafetyandsampleplans,willformthebasisoftheope-rationsplanthatwillbeutilizedduringthenextcriticalstageofthecrimesceneinvestigation.

7.7 Hazardous waste and chemical evi-dence gathering: the sampling ope-ration

Thisisthemostcriticalpartoftheevidencegatheringatacrimesceneofhazardouswasteabandonment.Nor-mally,attheconclusionofthesearch,alicencedhazar-douswastetransporterremovesthehazardouswaste.Itisthentakentoafacilityforsafetreatmentoreventualdisposal.Duetothelimitedamountoftimethattheche-micalevidenceisavailable,itisessentialthattheproperanalyticalrequirementsbedeterminedatthecrimesce-ne.Alloftheavailableinformationmustbeevaluatedinmakingthedeterminationastowhattypesofanalyseswillberequiredtofurthertheinvestigationandmeettherequirementsofanycriminallegislation.

Duetothecomplexitiesinvolvedwithchemicaleviden-cegathering, thepotential forerror ishigh.Thecrimescene coordinator, safety officer and science officer should,ifpossible,witnessthesamplingoperationfromoutside the hot zone. Through the use of radio com-munication, simple reminders and corrections can berelayedtothesamplingteamifnecessary. Inaddition,thesamplingteammayidentifyevidenceoverlookedbytheinvestigativeteamandmaydeterminethatadditio-nalanalyticalparametersarerequired.

Thesampling teamshouldalsodetermine thevolumeofmaterialpresent ineachhazardouswastecontainer

sampled. Each measurement should correspond to aparticular sample point (for instance, field sample # 1SD 3/21/97=27inchesof liquid).Afulldescriptionofthehazardouswastecontainersandarecordofanyhazar-douswastemeasurementsmadebythesamplingteamshouldbemaintainedbythecrimescenecoordinator.

At the completion of all evidence gathering activities,thechemicalevidenceshouldbeproperlysealed,sto-red and transported to a laboratory or chemical evi-denceholdingarea.Aproperchainofcustodymustbemaintainedatalltimes.

(a) Thesamplingplan

The collection of samples at environmental crimescenesrequirespreparationandplanning.Thepro-per selection and preparation of sampling equip-ment,methodsofsamplecollection, typesofana-lyses required, sitecontaminationcontrol, chainofcustody and storage of evidence are critical to asuccessfulinvestigationandprosecution.Theenvi-ronmentalinvestigatorhasaresponsibilitytoensurethat the chemical evidence is collected and main-tained properly. To fulfil this responsibility one must have adequate knowledge of accepted samplingprotocolsandanalyticalmethodsapprovedbylocal,stateornationalagencies.

Theprimaryobjectiveofasamplingplan foraha-zardouswaste, is tocollectsamplesthatwillallowmeasurements of the chemical properties of thewastethatarebothaccurateandprecise. Inordertoensurethatsamplingobjectivesaremet,theenvi-ronmentalinvestigatormustdevelopasamplingplanthat will provide the evidence necessary to furtherthe investigationand,at thesametime,satisfy thesamplecollectioncriteriaoftheapprovedanalyticalmethodtobeused.Thesamplingplanwillnormal-ly indicate the types of chemical analysis required(baseduponprior knowledgeof thewaste streamor informationdevelopedduring thesearchby theinvestigationteam),samplepointlocation,samplingequipment requirements, cross-contamination andoutside contamination control samples, chain ofcustodyprocedures,personalprotectiveequipmentandothersafetyissues.

Thesamplingplanshouldbebasedupon thecur-rentandexpectedenvironmentalconditionsliketheweatherandthetypeofsubstancetobesampled,suchas liquidchemicalwaste.Other factors,suchas safety equipment degradation and permeationrates, sample point location and expected lightingconditionsmustbeconsideredwhenprioritizingthesample collection order. Whenever possible, themost difficult samples should be scheduled to be collected first. Samples such as these may require thewearingoflevelAprotectivesuitsorrequiretheuseofremotesamplingdevicesduetothesuspec-tedtoxicityorreactivityofthechemicalwaste.

Thesamplingplanmustalsoaddressthevariousty-pesofsamplingtools,samplingmediaandsampling

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containers that are going to be utilized during thechemicalforensicevidencecollectionprocess.Theproperpreparationandselectionof these items iscritical.Inmostinstances,samplingequipmentwillhavebeensterilized,sealedandstoredinemergen-cy responsevehiclesprior togoing toanenviron-mentalcrimescene.Itisessentialthatarecordbemaintainedabouttheequipmentpreparationproto-col.Carefulattentionmustbegiventotheselectionof the sampling equipment. Choosing the wrongitem for a sampling task will have a major impactuponthequalityandreliabilityofanyfuturechemi-cal forensic analysis. This is especially true whenchoosingsamplingcontainers.Shouldthechemicalwastesampled (forexample,volatileandsemi-vo-latile compounds) be placed in a plastic samplingcontainer, thereexists thepossibilityofachemicalreactionbetweenthesampleandthehydrocarbonswithintheplastic.

Thesamplingplanmustaddresstheissueofsam-pledocumentation.Propersamplesheetsmustbepreparedandmaintainedthroughoutthecourseofthesamplingevent.Thesesamplesheetswilltravelwiththesamplesthroughouttheanalyticalprocess.Whentriplesamplecontainmentisutilizedforpac-kaging and transportation purposes, the samplesheets may be placed between the second andthirdcontainmentbarriers.Thesamplesheetsmustcontain at aminimum, the sample number (whichmustmatchthesamplingplacard)date, time,am-bienttemperature,locationofthesample,descrip-tionofthesample(forexample,matrix,colourandvolume),samplingequipmentandmediausedandthenamesoftheleadandassistantsamplers.Thesample sheets may also contain chain of custodyinformation. The sampling plan must also assignresponsibilityforrecordkeeping.Thisshouldinclu-detheproperlabellingofallsamplecontainers.Thesampleplanmustalsoaddresstheproceduresthatwill be used for sample container labelling. Sam-ple container labelling should be completed priorto entry into the crime scene. A sampling contai-ner label should contain the samplenumber, dateandnameof the leadsampler.Cautionshouldbeexhibitedwhenlabellingsamplingcontainerstobeusedincasesinvolvinghazardouswasteproducts.Incasessuchasthese,permanentmarkersshouldnotbeused.Asstatedearlier,permanentmarkersareknowntocontainvariousvolatileorganiccom-pounds (VOCs). Exposing a chemical samplingcontainertoVOCsmayimpactupontheanalyticalprocessandjeopardizetheintegrityofthechemicalevidence.

Other items that must be addressed in the sam-plingplanarethepreparationanduseoftripblanks(field blanks) and equipment blanks. The trip blank is required toprove thatnooutsidecontaminationhasaffectedthechemicalevidence.Thetypesandnumberoftripblankswilldependuponthetypeofsubstancebeingsampled, itsmatrixandthenum-berof samplesexpected tobecollected.The tripblanksshouldbepreparedoutsidethecrimescene

andthereshouldbeatleasttwotripblanksprepa-redforeverytensamplesexpectedtobecollected.Thetripblanksshouldbe labelledassamplesandshouldaccompanythesamplingcontainersintothecrime scene. Separate sample sheets should bepreparedforeachtripblank.

Theuseofequipmentblanksmaybecomeneces-saryduringthecourseofthechemicalevidencecol-lectionprocess.Itmaybecomenecessarytoreuseacontaminatedsampling toolduring theevidencecollectionprocess.Should thissituationoccur, thesampling plan should provide the necessary pro-cedure for this type of activity. In most cases, thecontaminated item should be cleaned and rinsedseveral times.At theendof thiscleaningprocess,distilled water will be run over the sampling item.Thisliquidrinseshouldthenbecollectedasanequi-pment blank. This sample should be labelled andsealed in the same manner as the samples des-cribed above. An analysis of the equipment blankwillprovethatthereusedsamplingitemwasfreeofcontaminationatthetimeofitsuse.

The sampling plan must also consider such itemsas waste management, sample carrying trays andnon-reusablesurfacebarrierssuchasanimperviousblackplasticsheet thatmustbeutilized toprotectthe sampling equipment from ground and surfacecontamination.Theplanmustalsoaddresschemi-calevidencepreservation.

Thesamplingplanshouldalsoincludethemaintai-ningofasamplelog.Thislogshouldbemaintainedthroughoutthesamplingevent.Theheadinginthesamplelogmustindicatetheexactcrimescenelo-cation, the current date, weather conditions, andnamesof thedesignated leadandassistantsam-plers. Each hazardous waste drum sampled andanysupportinginformationmustberecorded.Thesupportinginformationmustincludethetimeofdayfor each sample collected, field test data, descrip-tionsofsamplingequipmentused,descriptionsofsamplecontainersused,descriptionofeachcontai-nerandpotentialanalyticalparameters.

Thesamplingplanshouldbethoroughlyreviewedbytheentirecrimesceneinvestigationteam.Oncethishasbeencompletedthesamplingteammaybegin to prepare themselves to enter the crimescene.With thepropersafetyandsamplingpro-tocolsinplace,thesamplingteammaybegintheprocessesofchemicalevidencecollection.

(b) Sampling bottle identification and preparation

There are numerous types of sample collection contai-nersavailabletoday.Thesamplecontainers listedbeloware thosecommonlyused for thecollectionofchemicalevidence at environmental crime scenes but it is by nomeansanallinclusivelist.

Eachsamplingcontainer, regardlessof its intendeduse,will require some form of preparation prior to utilization.



Theinvestigatormustensurethattheproperpreparationprocedureshavebeenfollowedandthatdocumentationexistswhichclearly indicatesthenameofthe individualwhopreparedthesamplingcontainers,themethodologyusedandthedateonwhichtheywereprepared.Courtchallengesbasedonpossiblesamplecontaminationdueto pre-existing container contamination will be preven-tedbyutilizinganddocumentingtheproperpreparationprocedures.

(c) Sample device identification and preparation

Thesamplingdeviceslistedbelowarejustafewoftheitemswhichmaybeusedforchemicalevidencecollection at an environmental crime scene. Eachsampling device listed below has a specific use de-pendinguponthelocationandtypeofthematerialbeingsampled.

Ideally,aseparatesamplingdeviceshouldbepreparedforeachsamplepoint.However,thiswouldrequirethepurchaseandpreparationofnumerousduplicateitems.While coliwasa tubes may be inexpensive and dispo-sable, other sampling devices such as stainless steelextension augers and Ponar grab samplers are not.Normally,onlyoneortwooftheseexpensivesamplingdeviceswouldbeavailabletotheenvironmentallyinves-tigatoratacrimescene.Therefore,inordertomaintainthe integrityof thechemicalevidence, itmaybecomenecessarytocleanandprepare,forreuse,certainsam-plingdeviceswhileatthecrimescene.Thisincludesthewashingof thesamplingdevicewithadetergent.Thedeviceshould thenbe rinsedwith tapwaterand thenrinsedagainwithdistilledwater.

7.8 Types of analysis

Due to the different sampling container requirementsdescribedabove, the investigatorat anenvironmentalcrimescenemustdecidethecorrectanalysistobeper-formedonthechemicalevidencebeforeanychemicalevidenceisgathered.Manyfactorsmustbetakenintoaccountwhenmakingthisdecision,includingthephysi-calappearanceofthewasteproduct,informationdeve-lopedatthesceneandanystatutoryrequirements.Theenvironmentalinvestigatormustknowwhatneedstobeprovenundertheapplicablestatuteandwhichchemi-calanalysesareneededtofurthertheinvestigation(for

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example,traceamountsofchemicalsfoundforforensicconnections).Thefollowingisalistofsomeofthemorecommonanalyticalparameterswhichmaybetestedatahazardouswastecrimescene:

7.9 Field tests

Fieldtestsatanenvironmentalcrimescenewillassisttheinvestigatorinevaluatingthedegreeofhazardas-sociatedwiththeworkingenvironmentandmayassistin determining which containers should be placardedfor chemical sampling. These field tests should be completely documented, indicating the type of test,equipmentutilized,testresultsandthenameofthein-dividualconducting the test.The following isapartiallisting of the various field tests which may be utilized at anenvironmentalcrimescene:

(a) pH

A simple pH field test will help determine the pre-senceofacidsorcaustics.This isvital informationforboththesamplingteamandanalyticalpersonnel.AnextremelyhighorlowpHwillmaketheevidencecollection process more difficult and time consu-ming.Hazardouswastewithahighor lowpHcanaffectthesamplingtechnique,safetyequipmentde-gradation rates and breakthrough times, samplingcontainersandsamplingtools.Itisalsoausefultoolinthelocatingofsamplepoints.AnyliquidwithapHreadingoutsideofthenormalrangeofbetween6.5and8.5shouldbedeemedsuspiciousandmarkedasasamplepointbythecrimesceneinvestigationteam. In addition, if the investigator suspects thepresence of plating waste, a high pH may be in-

dicativeof thepresenceofcyanide.Environmentalinvestigators should also be cognizant of the factthatlaboratorypersonnelwillrequirethisinformationpriortothe loadingofthesesamples intosensitiveanalyticalequipment.

ThepH readingscanbeobtainedbyusingsimplepH strips or the readings can be taken electroni-cally through theuseof aportablepHmeter. ThepH strips may be difficult to handle and read while conductinganenvironmentalinvestigation.Thismaybeduetoreducedvisibilityanddexteritycausedbythewearingofrequiredsafetyequipment.AttachingthepHstripstothesleeveofaprotectivegarmentcan solve some handling problems. However, thismethodshouldnotbeusedifthereisasuspectedairborne volatilisation of the chemical waste. Priorexposuretothistypeofairbornecontaminationmayaffecttheaccuracyofthestripsreading.Usedstripsshouldnotbesavedandshouldbeplacedintothecrimescene’shazardouswastestream.

Normally,thepHstripswillfadeandchangecolourovertime.Thisfadingandcolourchangewillmakefuture readings of the contaminated strips virtuallyimpossible,therebyrenderingthemoflittleornofu-tureevidentiaryvalue.However,a recordingof thereadingmustbemadeandmaintainedinthecrimescene records.Normally, theportablepHmeter iseasy tooperateandwillproduceamoreaccuratereading then thepHstrips. If aportablepHmeteris going to be used, it must be properly chargedandcalibratedpriortoenteringthecrimescene.Inaddition, a record should be maintained as to thename of the individual completing the calibration,thecalibrationmethod,andthedateandtimeitwascompleted.

(b) L.E.L./O2

L.E.L.(lowerexplosivelimit)andO2(oxygen)metersareessentialequipmentatanycrimescenewherehazardouswastehasbeenabandoned.

TheL.E.L.meterisdesignedtodetectexplosivele-velsofcombustiblegasesthatarepresentinaspe-cific area and, when placed over a sampling point, will produce a scaled, positive reading if flammable substancesarepresentintheair.Apositivereadingon this device may indicate that a sample shouldbecollectedandsubjectedtoan ignitability test inthelaboratory.TheL.E.L.meterisalsoknownasacombustible gas indicator and produces its findings inrealtime.BecausetheL.E.L.meterisusedinpo-tentially explosive atmospheres, it must be certified as intrinsically safe. Investigative law enforcementpersonnelshouldinsurethatthemeteriscalibratedandtestedimmediatelypriortouse.Acompletere-cordofthisproceduremustbemaintained.Theme-termaybetestedbyintroducingacombustiblegassuchas anunlit butane lighter to the sensor. Thistest must be conducted in a safe area and awayfromthehazardouswaste.Althoughthesetypesofinstruments cannot identify a specific compound

Volatile organic compound bottle: The samplingcontainersused forvolatileorganiccompoundcollec-tionarestandard40mlglass,screw-capbottleswithTeflon-lined silicon septa. These sampling containers maybeusedforbothliquidsandsolids.Thevialsandseptashouldbewashedwithadetergent,rinsedwithtapanddistilledwateranddriedinanovenfor1hourat105°Cbeforeuse.

Semi-volatile organic compound bottle:Thesam-pling containers used for collecting semi-volatile or-ganic compounds (including herbicides and pestici-des) should be composed of glass or Teflon and have screw-caps with Teflon-lined septa. The vials should be washed with detergent, rinsed with tap water, rinsedwithdistilledwater and then rinsedwithmethanol (orisopropanol).

Inorganic compound bottle:Thesamplingcontainersused for inorganic compounds (including total metalsandT.C.L.Pmetals)shouldbecomposedoflinearpo-lyethylene, polypropylene, borosilicate glass or Teflon. Thecontainersshouldbepreparedusingthefollowingsteps:detergentwash, tapwaterrinse,1:1nitricacidrinse, tapwater rinse,1:1hydrochloricacid rinse, tapwaterrinseandametal-freewaterrinse.

Ignitability bottle:Thesamplingcontainersused forthe determination of ignitability should be standardglass, screw-cap bottles, with Teflon-lined silicon septa. Thesesamplecontainersmaybeusedforbothliquidsandsolids.Thevialsandseptashouldbewashedwitha detergent, rinsed with tap water and distilled wateranddriedinanovenfor1hourat105°Cbeforeuse.

Cyanide bottle:Cyanidesamplesmaybecollectedinglassorplasticbottles,whichshouldbecleanedandrinsedthoroughly.

Oil and grease or total petroleum hydrocarbons bottle: These sample collection containers shouldbemadeofglass,approximately1 litre insize,withaPTFE-linedscrew-cap.Thesamplingcontainersshouldbepreparedbyusingadetergentwash,tapwaterrinseandbakedat200-250°Cforaminimumof1hour.Aftercooling,themouthofthebottleshouldbecoveredwithaluminiumfoilandascrew-capplacedonthebottle.Asolventwashmaybeusedinplaceofbaking.

Phenols and polychlorinated biphenyl bottle:Samplingcontainersusedfordeterminingphenolsandpolychlorinated biphenyls should be standard glass,screw-cap bottles, with Teflon-lined silicon septa. The vials and septa should be washed with a detergent,

• Coliwasatube

• Extensionauger

• Ponargrabsampler

• Weightedsampler

•Dipper

• Bailer

• Shovels

•Spoons

• Backhoe

rinsedwithdistilledorde-ionisedwateranddriedinanovenat105°Cforapproximately1hour.

• Volatileorganiccompounds

• Semi-volatileorganiccompounds

• Metalsanalysis

• Totalcharacteristicleachingprocedure

• EPtoxicity

• Totalpetroleumhydrocarbons

• Cyanide

• Polychlorinatedbiphenyls

• Ignitability

• PH

• Radiation

• Asbestos

• Corrosiveness

• FaecalColiform



present, theywillalert theenvironmental investiga-tor to thepresenceofanunknownsubstance thatisproducingacombustiblevapour.However,cau-tionmustbeexhibited in interpreting thedetectioninstrument’sresults.Anycombustiblevapourwillbedetected. This includes many common householdproductssuchasnailpolishremover,rubbingalco-holandcertainalcoholicbeverages.

TheL.E.L.metershouldbeplacedoverasuspectedchemicalwasteandheldthereforseveralseconds.Thereadingsonthisinstrumentarescaledandevenanextremelylowreadingisanindicationofpossiblechemicalvolatizationtakingplace.Apositivereadingof this typemay indicate to the investigation teamthat the liquid hazardous waste that is being exa-minedshouldbeplacardedasasamplepoint.Theresultsofthesetypesofreadingsmustberecordedandreportedtothesamplingteam.Theteammaydetermine that, in addition to standard analyticalmethods, the sample should be subjected to anignitability test in the laboratory. In addition to theabove,apositiveL.E.L.readingisasafetyconcernand will have a definitive impact on safety protocols, samplingmethodologyandsamplingtoolselection.

Many instrumentsdependon thepresenceof oxy-gen to function properly. They are normally calibra-ted within a standard atmosphere. Therefore, thelevelofoxygenpresentinthesampleareamayhaveaprofoundeffectupon the instrument’s readings. Ifthe oxygen level within the sample area is too lowto support combustion, a negative reading may beobtained.Elevatedoxygenlevelsmayalsoaffecttheinstrument’sreading.Inaddition,shouldhighconcen-trationsofacombustiblegasdisplace theavailableoxygen,theinstrumentmaybecomeoverloadedcau-singthemetertopegatthehighestreadingandthenreturntozero.Clearly,cautionmustbeexhibitedbyinvestigatorswhenattemptingtorelyupontheresultsproducedfromthistypeofinstrument.

TheO2meterwillindicatehowmuchoxygenispre-sentintheatmosphere.Alowerthannormalreadingmayindicatethatanunknownsubstancehasdispla-ced the oxygen. This is especially useful in confined areas where the discharge of hazardous waste issuspected.Itisalsoofcriticalimportancetothesa-fetyof thesampling teamandmaydictatewhetherself-contained breathing apparatus will be required.A lower then normal reading may indicate that anunknownsubstancehasdisplacedtheoxygen.Thistypeof reading ismorecommon in interiorbuildingareas, cargo areas and other confined space areas. Thedisplacementoftheoxygenneartheopeningofahazardouswastecontainershouldbeofparticularin-teresttothecrimesceneinvestigationteam.Thisisaforensicindicationthatthereisanunknownchemicalsubstancepresent.Ahigherthannormaloxygenrea-ding should be considered a fire hazarded and must beacteduponaccordingly.Duetotheseconcerns,itmaybethebestpolicytohavecontinuousL.E.L.andO2readingsconductedthroughoutthecrimesceneinvestigationprocess.

(c) The flame ionization detector

The flame ionization detector (FID) is an excellent instrument fordeterminingchemical samplepointlocations. It can detect organic chemical com-poundsintheair,soilandliquids.TheFIDisessen-tiallyastainlesssteelburner inwhichhydrogen ismixedwiththeincomingsampleinthebaseoftheunit;combustionairoroxygenisfedinanddiffusedaroundthejetthroughwhichthehydrogengasmix-ture flows to the cathode tip where ignition occurs. This device has been in use by law enforcementformanyyears. It iscommonlyused inarsonca-sestolocatechemicalaccelerants.Theinstrumentdoesrequireawarm-upperiodthatcantakeseve-ralminutes. It isalsosensitive tobackgroundhy-drocarbonssuchasvehicleexhausts.Whenusingthis instrument to screen an unknown liquid as apossiblechemicalsamplingpoint,everyeffortmustbemadenottolettheinstrumentcomeintodirectcontact with the suspected material. If a liquid isdrawnintotheprobe,theinstrumentwillnotfunc-tionproperly.MostFIDswillgiveadigitalreadoutintheparts-per-million(PPM)range.This instrumentcanbedescribedasanelectronicbloodhoundandhas the ability to backtrack certain hydrocarbonsand chlorinated hydrocarbons to their concentra-ted point of origin. This may be extremely usefultotheenvironmental investigatorwhenattemptingto locate a concentrated chemical sample point.When searching for possible sampling points theinstrumentshouldbeheldoverthesuspectareaforseveralseconds.Ifadigitalreadingoccurs,theins-trumentshouldbemovedawayfromthesuspectedareaandallowedtostabilize.Thesuspectedareashouldthenbecheckedagain.Ifthesecondscree-ning again produces a positive reading, the areashouldbeplacarded forsampling,photographed,anditslocationnotedonthecrimescenesketch.

(d) Thephoto-ionizationdevice

Thephoto-ionizationdevice(PID)isalsoknownasthe total ionizablespresentmonitor.Mostorganiccompounds and some inorganic compounds canbe ionized when they are subjected to ultravioletlight. The PID converts the concentration of ioni-zable chemicals in a sample toanelectric signal.Theamountofcurrentproducedisproportionaltotheamountoforganiccompoundpresent.Thede-tection limit on this instrument is in the low PPMrange.ThePID isverysensitive toaromaticcom-pounds,somechlorinatedcompoundsandalimi-ted amount of inorganic compounds such as ni-tricoxideandammonia.HighhumiditymayaffectthePIDbyslowingdownitsresponsetime.Whenusing this instrument to locate potential samplepoints,itshouldbeheldcloseto,butnottouching,thesuspectedarea.Theinstrumentshouldbethenmovedaway from thepotential samplepoint andallowed to read the ambient air. Once the instru-menthaswhatiscalled“zeroed”,itshouldagainbeplacedoverthesamplearea.Ifasecondreadingisobtained, the sample point should be placarded,

39

photographed,anditslocationnotedonthecrimescenesketch.

7.10 Hazardous waste and chemical evi-dence collection, preservation and storage

Duringthesamplingproceduresthecrimescenecoor-dinator, safety officer and science officer should remain together. The crime scene coordinator will note eachsamplepointandvolumes inthecrimescenerecordsandcompleteacrimescenesketch.Thecrimescenecoordinatormustensure that thechainofcustody forthechemicalevidenceispreservedinaccordancewithstandard evidence collection procedures. The safetyofficer must give final approval for all activities conduc-tedinanyhotzone.

Whenthesampleteamapproachesthehazardouswas-te containers, they should first look for the sampling placard posted by the investigation team, which willensurethatthecorrectcontainers will be sampled. An impermeable barriersuchasatarpaulinshouldbespreadoutnear the sample point, but not in an area where anymemberofthesamplingteamwillsteponitduringthesampling. The tarpaulin should not be reused at anysubsequentsamplepoint.

Thesamplingtoolsandcontainersthataregoingtobeusedatthissamplepointshouldberemovedfromtheircarrytraysandplacedontothetarpaulin.

Oncethesamplingequipmenthasbeenlaidout inanorderlyfashion,thesamplingoperationmaybegin.Thefirst step is to gently and slowly loosen the bung plug. Under no circumstances should the face of the leador assistant samplerbeplacedoverornear thebun-ghole.During thiscontaineropeningprocess, there isthepossibilityofthereleaseofhighlyconcentratedandpotentiallyharmfulvapoursthatmayhaveformedoverthe liquid’s surface. This high pressure release has the potentialforseverallycontaminatingthefacemaskandprotective clothingwornby the sampling team.Oncethebungplughasbeenremoved, itshouldbe leftonthesurfaceofthecontaineruntilthecompletionofthesamplingevent.Theleadandassistantsamplershouldthen remove new sampling gloves from their sealedcontainer and place them over their outer chemicalresistantgloves.With these freshlyglovedhands, thesample team may now begin to handle the samplingequipment.Thecoliwasatubeordrumthiefshouldberemovedfromitssealedpackaging.Bluntendscissorsmaybeusedforthispurpose.

Whenusingacoliwasatube,theinteriorstoppershouldbeintheopenpositionasitisslowlyinsertedintothedrumbytheleadsampler.Whenadrumthief isused,the lead sampler’s thumb should be kept away from

the topof the tubeas the tube isslowly inserted intothedrum.This slow insertionwill allow thechemicalsbeing sampled to slowly fill the tube in its original stra-tified position with the least amount of disturbance and mixing. The stratification or layering of chemicals is a commonphenomenonassociatedwith55gallondrumsofhazardouswaste.Thiseffectcanbecausedbypro-ductdegradation, thesettlingof thechemicals,or thepresence of chemicals with different specific gravities. Eachchemicallayerisaseparatepieceofchemicalfo-rensic evidence that must be collected and analysedproperly. Once the stratified sample has filled the tube, itshouldbewithdrawnfromthedrum.Forcoliwasatu-bes, the interiorstoppersshouldbe in theclosedpo-sitionduringwithdrawal.Whenusingadrumthief,thelead sampler’s thumb should be placed over the tube’s opening. The assistant sampler should open a sterili-zedsamplecontainerandholdit,withbothhands,overthedrum.Theleadsamplershouldplacethetipofthetubeallthewayintothesamplecontainer.Thechemicalsample should then be slowly released into the sam-plecontainer.Thiswilldiminishthepossibilityofabacksplash that may cause the assistant sampler’s gloves tobecomecontaminatedwithaconcentratedchemicalwasteproduct.ThismethodwillalsoreducetheamountoftraceVOCthatmaybedrivenoff.

As a general rule, when the hazardous wastes are ina 55 gallon drum, at least two 40mls evidence sam-plesshouldbecollectedfromeachdrum.Eachsamplecontainer should be filled to the top and there should benoexistingheadspaceorairpocket in thesamplecontainer. Once the sample container has been filled to its proper level, the assistant should screw on a Teflon lined silica septa lid. This sample should not be pla-ced near or next to any unused sampling equipment.Bulkliquidsamplingcanbeamessyprocessandtherewillbe,inalllikelihood,somecontaminationpresentontheexteriorofthesamplecontainer.Theentireprocessshould then be repeated so that a duplicate samplemaybeobtained.Theduplicatesampleisanevidencesafeguard.Shouldoneofthesamplecontainersruptureorbreakduringthesampling,transportation,oranaly-ticalprocess;anadditionalsamplewillbeavailableforanalysis.

Once the samples from a particular hazardous wastecontainer have been collected, the sample containersshouldbesealedusingsomeformofgummedevidencesealwhichshouldbeplacedallthewayaroundthesamplecontainerlid.Under no circumstances should the evidence seal beplacedoverthesepta.

Atthecompletionofthechemicalevidencesealingpro-cess, each sample container should be placed into asealableplasticbag.Thisplasticbagisconsideredthesecond levelofcontainment.Thisplasticbagand thecompleted sample sheet should then be placed intoanothersealableplasticbag.Thistypeofpackagingwillcreatethreelayersofcontainmenttherebyfurtherpro-tecting the chemical evidence and it offers additionalprotectionforthoseindividualswhowillbetransportingthehazardouschemicalevidence.Thetripblankshould

Make sure you know where to find equipment ne-cessary to carry out the field tests!



besealedandpackaged in thesamemannerasdes-cribedabove.Thesealedchemicalevidenceshouldnotbeplacedintothesamecarrytrayasanyunusedsam-plingequipment.Aseparatecarrytrayorcoolershouldbeused.

Whensamplinghazardouswastecontainers, it ises-sentialforthesamplingteamtodeterminehowmuchliquidvolumeisactuallypresent.Notesorobservationsthatsimplystatethatacontainerwashalf fullare in-sufficient for a criminal investigation and prosecution. Theseaccurateliquidvolumemeasurementsmustbemadeafterthecompletionofthesamplingevent.Thecrime scene notes should reflect the measurement dataandthenameofthesamplingteammemberma-kingthemeasurements.

Todeterminethevolumeofa55gallondrumorothercontainer, theheightof the liquidandthe internal ra-diusofthecontainermustbeobtained.Tomeasuretheheightofliquid,adisposablewoodenmeasuringstickshould be inserted into the container until it reachesthe bottom. The following mathematical formula canbe used to determine the volume of liquid chemicalpresent in various sized containers: volume = (π) x (ra-dius)2 x ( height). This formula, depending upon thesize of the container, will provide a volume in cubicfeet or cubic inches. To convert this information intogallons, the following mathematical conversions canbeused:0.13368 ft.3=1gallonor231 in.3=1gal-lon.Whenattempting todeterminea55gallondrummeasurement, the height of liquid may also be com-pared toastandard55gallondrumchart.Thischartconvertsknowninchesof liquid, ina55gallondrum,intogallons.

Whenthewoodenmeasuringstick iswithdrawnfromthecontainer,abrightlycolouredpinshouldbeinser-tedintothestickattheappropriateinchorliquidlevelmark.Thisdatashouldthenberecordedinthecrimescene notes. The measuring stick should be placednexttothesamplingplacardandphotographed.

Thechemicalevidenceshouldbephotographedatthecompletionofthelabellingandsealingprocess.Thesephotographsmaybetakenwiththesamplesseizednexttothedrumfromwhichtheywereremoved.However,inordertocutdownonpossiblepersonnelexposuretime,thephotographsofthesamplesmaybetakenoncetheevidencehasbeenremovedfromthecrimescene.

In order to maintain the integrity of the chemical evi-dence,aproperchainofcustodymustexist.Thechainofcustodyshouldbetraceablethroughdocumentation,whichshould indicatewhohadcustodyof thechemi-calevidencefromthetimeitwascollectedallthewaythrough the analytical process. Each individual takingcustody of the evidence should sign the documents.The crime scene investigation team’s responsibility for evidence integrity does not end with the shipping ofthe chemical evidence to a laboratory. The laboratoryshould be contacted and its chain of custody proce-dures reviewedprior to theshipmentofanychemicalevidence.

Mostchemicalevidenceisbestpreservedbyrefrigera-tingthesamplesat4°C.However,individualanalyticalmethodologies should be consulted directly for hol-dingtimesandpreservationrequirementsforindividualchemicalcompounds.Therefrigerationunitshouldbesecuredinsuchawayastopreventitfrombeingda-maged during transportation. The chemical evidenceshould be delivered to the laboratory for analysis assoonaspracticable.

7.11 Hazardous waste and chemical evi-dence transportation

It is the responsibility of the investigator to ensurethatanychemicalevidence that is shippedmeetsallnational and international hazardous material trans-portationrequirements. Inmost instances,hazardouswastesampleswill fallunder the legaldesignationofa hazardous material. The international shipment ofthese types of materials is governed by several dif-ferent entities. Air transport shipments of hazardousevidenceareregulatedbyeithertheInternationalCivilAviation Organization’s Technical Instructions for the SafeTransportationofDangerousGoodsbyAirortheInternationalAirTransportAssociation.Maritimeship-mentofhazardousevidenceisregulatedbytheInter-national Maritime Organization’s International Maritime DangerousGoodscode.

7.12 Site clean-up

At the conclusion of the evidence gathering opera-tions,thecrimescenewillbeclosed,andtheenviron-mental investigativepersonnelwillworkwiththepro-perauthoritiestoensurethatthehazardouscontentsofthetrailerareproperlydisposedof.Thecrimescenecoordinator and safety officer must ensure that all contaminatedequipmentandclothing isbaggedandremovedfromthecrimesceneandthatallpools,tanksanddrumshavebeenproperlyresealedorcovered.

7.13 Closing the crime scene

The crime scene coordinator must receive, from thesamplingteamleader,aninventoryofallchemicalevi-dencecollectedatthesite.Thecrimescenecoordina-tor must also take custody of all film and photographs madeduringthesearch.

If the crime scene is in a building, the crime scenecoordinator must issue a receipt for evidence remo-vedtoarepresentativeoftheownerofthebuildingaswell as preserve a carbon copy. If no representativeisavailable,thereceiptmustbesecurelytapedtoanexteriordoorofthebuilding.Thecrimescenecoordi-natormustensurethatall investigationpersonnelareaccounted for and have exited the crime scene, andshouldnotethetimethatthecrimesceneisclosed.7.13 Closing the crime scene

The crime scene coordinator must receive, from the

41

samplingteamleader,aninventoryofallchemicalevi-dencecollectedatthesite.Thecrimescenecoordina-tor must also take custody of all film and photographs madeduringthesearch.

Ifthecrimesceneisinabuilding,thecrimescenecoor-dinatormustissueareceiptforevidenceremovedtoarepresentativeof theownerof thebuildingaswell aspreserveacarboncopy. Ifnorepresentative isavaila-ble, the receiptmustbesecurely taped toanexteriordoorofthebuilding.Thecrimescenecoordinatormustensure that all investigation personnel are accountedforandhaveexitedthecrimescene,andshouldnotethetimethatthecrimesceneisclosed.

7.14 Post crime scene investigation

Thepostcrimesceneinvestigationwillbeginwithafo-cus on four specific areas: an examination of witness statements;tracingofthevehicleonwhichthehazar-douswasteswerecarriedor found, if any; theanaly-sisoftraditionalevidence;andtheexaminationofthechemical analytical reports. Each witness should beinterviewedat leasttwiceandtheirstatementsshouldbefullyexaminedforanyadditionalinvestigativeleads.Traditionallawenforcementtechniquesshouldbeusedinanattempttotracethevehicleusedtocarrythewas-tes as well as the point of its original ownership andpriorlocation.

Traditional evidence such as fingerprints, trash, labels andmarkingsonthehazardouswastecontainersshouldalsobereviewedforadditionalinvestigativeleads.Anyhandwrittensequentialnumbersfoundonthedrumsiscriticaltotheinvestigationduetothefactthatit isin-dicativeofapriorenvironmentalinventoryandsurvey.Normally, when hazardous waste containers are mar-kedinthisfashion, it isanindicationthatthematerialhadbeenpreviouslysampledandanalysed.

Thismayprovidethekeycriminalelementsofknowled-geandmotive.Thepossibilityofknowledgeonthepartofthesuspectisbasedupontheprobableexistenceofanalyticalreportsthatindicatethehazardousnatureofthe chemicalwaste. Themotive,which is likely tobefinancial, is based upon the probable estimated cost,

to thesuspect, for theproperdisposalof this formofhazardouswaste.

Finally, the chemical analytical reports should be re-viewed carefully. These will assist the environmentalinvestigator in determining the type of industry thatgenerated the hazardous chemical waste. Each typeofmanufacturingprocess,suchascircuitboards,prin-tingoperations,platingoperationsorevenclandestinenarcoticsmanufacture,utilizesdifferenthazardousrawmaterials in its manufacturing process. By examiningtheanalyticalreports,adeterminationcanbemadere-gardingthetypeofindustrythatgeneratedthisparticu-larhazardouswaste.

Dischargeandmarinelitter,nearBuncrana,Ireland,1991Source:AquatonicsLtd.



• Basel Convention Website

http://www.basel.int

• Form for Movement Document

http://www.basel.int/pub/move.pdf

• Form for Notification Document

http://www.basel.int/pub/notif.pdf

• Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm

• Guidance Elements (Decision VI/16)

http://www.basel.int/meetings/cop/cop6/en-glish/Report40e.pdf

• Guide to the Control System

http://www.basel.int/pub/instruct.doc

• Interpol

www.interpol.int

• Manual for the Implementation of the Basel Convention

http://www.basel.int/meetings/sbc/workdoc/manual.doc

• Various technical guidelines on management of hazardous wastes:

http://www.basel.int/meetings/sbc/workdoc/techdocs.html

• UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dan-gerous Goods, Model Regulations

http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm

• World Customs Organisation

www.wcoomd.org


OTHER INFORMATION

TheBaselConventionon theControlofTransboundary Movements of HazardousWastes and their Disposal is the mostcomprehensive global environmentalagreement on hazardous and otherwastes.Ithasover160partiesandaimsto protect human health and theenvironmentagainsttheadverseeffectsresulting from the generation, manage-mant, transboundary movements anddisposalofhazardousandotherwastes.

The Basel Convention regulates thetransboundarymovementsofhazardousandotherwastesandobligesitsPartiestoensurethatsuchwastesaremanagedand disposed of in an environmentallysound manner. The Convention coverstoxic, poisonous, explosive, corrosive,flammable, ecotoxic and infectious wastes. Parties are aslo expected tominimize the quantities that are movedacrossborders,totreatsanddisposiveofwastesascloseaspossibletotheirplaceofgenerationandtopreventorminimizethegenerationofwastesatsource.

The Basel Convention has 14 BaselConvention Regional Canters in thefollowing locations : Argentina, China,Egypt, El Salvador, Indonesia, Iran,Nigeria, Russian Federation,, Senegal,Slovak Republic, South Pacific Regional Programme, South Africa, Trinidad andUruguay. They deliver training andtechnology transfer for the implementa-tionoftheConvention.

TheBaselConventioncameintoforcein1992.

www.basel.intSecretariat of the basel conventionInternational Environment House

15chemindesAnémones1219Châtelaine,Switzerland

Tel:+41(0)229178218Fax:+41(0)227973454

Email:[email protected]

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