Terrorist attacks using chemical, biological, or radiological agents (CBR) are of great concern due to the potential for widespread loss of life. The United States and other nations have spent billions of dollars on plans and protocols in defense against acts of terrorism that could involve CBR. However, CBR covers a wide range of agents with many specific chemicals and biological organisms that could be used in multiple subcategories. Timely response requires rapid identification of the agent involved. This can be a difficult process involving different methods and instruments. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) along with Dr. Lawrence H. Keith, president of Instant Reference Sources Inc., and others from an extensive team incorporated their knowledge, experience, and expertise, plus information in publicly available EPA documents, to develop the CBR Advisor using Exsys Inc.’s Corvid® software.

Questions for Discussion
1. How can CBR Advisor assist in making quick decisions?
2. What characteristics of CBR Advisor make it an expert system?
3. What could be other situations where such expert systems can be employed?