Forensics investigations need to be conducted efficiently and accurately especially in situations where time is a scarce resource. Novel technologies, like forensic sensors, can aid investigators in trace detection, visualisation, identification and interpretation on site. This need resulted in the European funded research action RISEN. The aim of the RISEN project is the development of a set of realtime contactless sensors for the optimization of the trace, detection, visualisation, identification and interpretation on site, with a consequent reduction of the time and resources in the laboratory, and for a fast exchange of information among LEAs.
Arising from the need to connect different sensors to a remote digital management software, a network-enabled Sensor API is proposed to enable any compliant CBRNe Sensor to connect and exchange information in a harmonised and interoperable way.
As a result, a Standardisation Workshop agreement, on CBRNe SENSOR API – Network Protocols, Data Formats and Interfaces, was initiated to promote standardisation of the Sensor API. This workshop was coordinated by Ulrike Schröder and Yusuf Yilmaz (DIN), chaired by Marco Manso (PARTICLE) and co-chaired by Roberto Chirico (ENEA). The standard is now published as CWA 18096.
The CWA 18096 standard specifies CBRNe-related sensor data formats and protocols to support forensics investigations. It allows sensor manufacturers to focus on sensor development work, benefitting from already defined interfaces and data models. Moreover, forensic investigators, acting as end-users, can better understand and analyse (well defined) sensor outputs, thus improving their work efficiency and facilitating technology acceptance.
See the official publication at the CEN website.
The CWA report can be accessed here.
The CWA 18096 Standard text can be accessed here.
