Marking, Rendering Inert, and Licensing of Explosive Materials: Interim Report (1997)

The National Research Council has formed the Committee on Marking, Rendering Inert, and Licensing of Explosive Materials to study the scientific and technical issues related to (a) the viability of adding tracer elements to explosives for the purpose of detection, (b) the viability of adding tracer elements to explosives for the purpose of identification, (c) the feasibility and practicability of rendering inert common chemicals used to manufacture explosives materials, and (d) the feasibility and practicability of imposing controls on certain precursor chemicals used to manufacture explosive materials. The study goal is to frame the issues and furnish a report that provides a clear description of the technical options that exist. The report will provide advice that will facilitate decisions by officials of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms on which to base recommendations to Congress. An interim report will be published in April 1997 and a final report in February 1998.

The committee has just started its work and has already begun to examine a number of issues and concerns raised by various stakeholder groups. To aid the committee in its deliberations, we invite you or your representative to submit a written statement outlining your position on the subject of the study. We also welcome your suggestions for information sources or issues you feel the committee should consider during the course of its study. In addition, the committee will invite as many stakeholder groups as possible to meet with the committee in person to provide further elaboration.

We appreciate your assistance and look forward to your reply. I have enclosed a brochure to give you more information on the committee. Please contact Tracy D. Wilson, at (202) 334-1671/2156, fax (202) 334-2154, or twilson@nas.edu or xplo@nas.edu for further details.