The Russians Are Coming!

• NCJ Number: 211936
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 2 pages
• Grant Number(s): 96-MU-MU-K011
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Technical Assistance

Annotation

Due partly to the efforts of the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ's) National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)-Northwest, public safety personnel have a new place to go when searching for new technologies and products, i.e., the Russian Law Enforcement Technical Devices Catalog, a recently translated compendium of information on Russian technological advances related to public safety.

Abstract

Russia has a history of innovative technological development, and because it has been dealing with terrorism longer than the United States, it has some useful tools that have not been developed in the United States. These include personal radiological monitors that first responders can take into situations that may involve attacks with radiological weapons; portable explosive suppression systems that fit in a car's trunk; sophisticated equipment that detects explosive devices in mail; advanced forensic kits for examining documents and analyzing handwriting and fingerprints; "invisible ink" verification markings that come into view under specific conditions; durable personal protective equipment; ultrasensitive electronic surveillance devices for undercover operations and wiretapping; and tunneling detection devices for maintaining secure perimeters. The catalog will be available on CD-ROM for public safety agencies. Joint American-Russian testing and evaluation of the technologies is being planned. In February 2004, 10 Russian officials met with American representatives from NIJ, NLECTC, and other public safety agencies in the first Joint American-Russian Police Technology Forum. The forum's principal objectives are outlined in this article. The next joint forum is tentatively planned for October 2004 in St. Petersburg, Russia.