Assignment:
You must answer the 7 questions on responding to weapons of mass destruction below. Please read each question thoroughly before answering. Restate the question before providing your answer. Each question can be answered in 2 to 3 well-formed paragraphs. Use of APA citationsis required when necessary to indicate the source of your answer. Include a references list beginning on a new page at the end of your mid-term submission.
1. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are identified as one of the single greatest threats to our nation in the National Security Strategy. Define the term WMD and discuss which Federal organization is identified as the response lead to WMD incidents.
2. Define the term Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) and discuss how this differs from a nuclear detonation device.
3. Briefly describe and contrast the basic differences between Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) and Toxic Industrial Chemicals/Toxic Industrial Materials (TIC/TIMs).
4. Ricin is a biological toxin produced from castor beans. Describe the effects this biological weapon can produce and attribute the presence of this WMD threat to a known terror organization. Comment on the potential for casualties if the terror organization were to deploy Ricin on the local population.
5. Is the release of chlorine gas considered a Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) or a Toxic Industrial Chemical (TIC); choose a position and defend your answer. How persistent is the presence of this WMD threat agent and briefly describe likely ways to protect against it?
6. Define the term "polymerase chain reaction" (PCR) as it is used in the detection of biological warfare agents. Briefly describe how this is used in detection science and technologies for the identification of biological warfare agents.
7. Phosphates are sometimes used in the development and detonation of highyield explosives. Briefly describe how these materials are used with other substances to produce tremendous explosive effects.