Forensics of Bioterrorism

Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

This is an optional workshop in the Doctoral Network.

Arrival is on Wednesday, 7 May 2025 with welcome drinks in the evening.

The workshop runs from 9 am to 5 pm, with a 2-hour lunch break from 12-2 pm. There will be a coffee break in the morning and afternoon session.

Organized by Henk R Braig, Leonardo Díaz Nieto, San Juan, and Jens Amendt, Ildikó Szelecz, Frankfurt am Main

Thursday, 8 May 2025 – Henk Braig

  • Introduction

  • The long history of biological warfare

Friday, 9 May 2025 – Henk Braig

  • Bioterrorism, history and modern cases

  • Insects in bioterrorism

  • Biocrime

  • Parasites in forensics and biocrime, human, wildlife

Saturday, 10 May 2025 – Henk Braig

  • Detection and monitoring

  • Biosensors

  • New techniques

  • Assessing risk

  • Natural disease outbreaks versus bioterrorism

  • Preparedness in forensics

Sunday, 11 May 2025

  • Frankfurt Tour

  • Workshop Dinner

Monday, 12 May 2025 – Henk Braig, Jens Amendt

  • Technical Vulnerabilities

  • Synthetic DNA, Sequences of Concern; Biosecurity Regulatory Framework

  • Biohackers

  • AI

  • Visit to the Taphonomy facility

 

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 – Daniel Vaněk, Henk Braig

  • Biological Agents

  • Detecting Biological Agents in the field

  • Deliberate traces and taggants

  • Chemical and physical taggants

  • DNA and biological taggants

The workshop does not have any practical activities.

Biodefence, medical aspects of bioterrorism, and counter measures are not covered.