SUMMARY
The Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL), is designed to support the fight against the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The project provides a permanent technical exploitation training facility based in Soesterberg, in the Netherlands. Technical exploitation refers to the recording and analysis of battlefield evidence, particularly in this case, those collected from IED attacks, both in the cases of IEDs safely neutralized or post blast investigation. Two state of the art deployable laboratories have also been procured under the project and remain permanently on notice to move. The JDEAL was initiated making use of equipment and knowledge of the Counter-IED Technical Exploitation Laboratory previously deployed to ISAF/Afghanistan.
Goals
- Improve Member States technical exploitation capabilities
- Provide a permanent training facility for national and international training in the Netherlands
- Provide two technical exploitation deployable laboratories in notice to move to support operations
- Provide a platform for knowledge development and research on the broad area of technical exploitation and the use of battlefield evidence - with room for subprojects to be launched under the JDEAL framework
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
JDEAL, which was facilitated by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and supported by its initial 11 nations, under the lead of the Netherlands, focuses on training the full range of skills needed for technical exploitation. This involves the recording and analysing of information related to events, scenes, technical components, and material used in IED attacks.
Technical exploitation is the crucial element of the attack the network pillar of Counter-IED doctrine, turning battlefield evidence into intelligence, thus feeding the targeting cycle that allows our military to stay ahead of the emplacement of IEDs, thus enhancing the protection of our forces and the ability to defeat IED attacks. The knowledge and expertise developed under the project also has the potential to support Counter-terrorism efforts within our homelands.
The project makes use of equipment and knowledge gained from the EDA developed Counter-IED Technical Exploitation Laboratory (MNTEL)previously deployed with ISAF in Kabul. By doing so, the project ensures the skills gained from tackling IEDs in Afghanistan are maintained and the experiences are built on, while at the same time, by doing this in a multinational framework, the project also raises the knowledge base and skill levels of European technical exploitation operatives.
The JDEAL project addresses the entire scope of IED exploitation. This includes detailed visual examination and high quality image capture; technical exploitation reporting; biometric analysis (latent finger print recovery); electrical and electronic circuitry (primarily radio parts); document and media recovery (focused on the mobile phones often used as IED triggering devices); chemical analysis; mechanical exploitation as well as other materiel exploitation. New technical exploitation capabilities currently in development include also Rapid DNA exploitation and weapon/toolmark identification.
After its initial phase (2014-2017) focused on the implementation of the permanent training facility and the procurement of the two deployable capabilities, and the development and consolidation of new training activities during its second phase (2017-2021), JDEAL has entered its third phase, which will put its highlights on the knowledge and development objectives, while maintaining its high standards of training and operational output.