What is the primary mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)?
Minimize the chance of a terrorist attack and extent of damage
DHS was formed in 2002 following the 9/11 attacks.
Name three key agencies under the DHS.
- TSA (Transportation Security Administration)
- FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration)
- CBP (Customs and Border Protection)
What does TSA stand for and what is its role?
Transportation Security Administration; ensures the security of transportation systems including airports and mass transit
What is the primary responsibility of FEMA?
Disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery
What does CBP stand for and what are its key functions?
Customs and Border Protection; secures borders, facilitates legitimate trade, combats terrorism, and enforces immigration laws
What are the major categories of vulnerabilities in homeland security?
- Cybersecurity
- Terrorism
- Natural disasters and pandemics
True or False: Domestic terrorism often involves lone offenders or small groups motivated by extremist ideologies.
True
What are the primary threats highlighted in the 2025 DHS Homeland Threat Assessment?
- Terrorism from lone offenders
- Illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl
- Risks to critical infrastructure from domestic extremists and foreign adversaries
Fill in the blank: CBRN threats include ______, ______, ______, and ______ materials.
[chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear]
How are threats distinguished from hazards?
Threats have an aim or purpose, while hazards are generally unintentional or acts of nature.
What does WMD stand for and what is its definition?
Weapons of Mass Destruction; capacity to inflict widespread death, injury, or destruction on a massive scale
List some examples of chemical weapons.
- Ricin
- Nerve agents (Sarin, VX)
- Commercial products (fertilizers, industrial chemicals)
What is bioterrorism?
Deliberate dispersal of pathogens to cause disease and harm to the public
What is the largest concern regarding biological weapons?
Anthrax, a disease-causing bacterium that forms spores
What is the role of the DHS Office of Domestic Nuclear Detection?
Detection and prevention of nuclear terrorist threats
What is threat reduction?
Any action taken prior to a terrorist act that serves to decrease the chance of an attack or mitigate damage
What roles do chemists play in homeland security?
- Material identification and verification
- Development of sensors and detection systems
- Operational support in field or lab settings
- Support for interdiction and public safety measures
- Methods for decontamination
What are some operational challenges faced in detection and sensing tasks?
- Diversity of targets
- Low signal / high background
- Speed of detection
- Portability and ease of use
What are some key detection tasks for the Department of Defense (DOD)?
- Counter-IED
- CBRN detection
- Concealed ordnance detection
What is a significant challenge for law enforcement in drug detection?
High potency drugs, such as fentanyl, pose risks for officers and first responders
What are the research needs in chemistry and chemical engineering for homeland security?
- More sensitive and selective detection systems
- Rapid detection technologies
- Miniaturization of detection equipment
- Improved protective measures
What is the goal of new sensing/detection tools in homeland security?
To provide early warning for toxic or explosive substances
Define sensitivity in the context of detection systems.
Limit of detection; minimum amount of analyte that can be distinguished from the blank with confidence.
Define selectivity in the context of detection systems.
The extent to which an instrument can detect a given target without influence from other components.
