Regency A
What to Expect When You're Not Expecting - Incident Sampling (303977)
*Victoria Cox, Dstl
Keywords: sampling, VSP software, assurance, collaboration, communication, defence
The "Skripal Incident" (nerve agent poisoning) in the UK presented an interesting statistical challenge of how to assure the level of cleanliness of a contaminated site while still maintaining a practical level of sampling and decontamination. Further to the scientific rigour required, public perception of the levels had to be considered and assured. Another challenge was translating the statistical approaches into fit for purpose military plans.
This talk walks through the statistical sampling process and methods used, under operational conditions, that enabled the confidence of the scientific and policy community to allow public sites back to use. The talk will also highlight lessons identified and gaps in sampling methodology.
The statistical rigour that was required as well as pragmatic approaches to a complex situation demonstrated that statistics can be applied in real time, for operational and public impact.
© Crown copyright (2020), Dstl