Can a challenged state clean up incriminating evidence at a suspect site before inspectors arrive?
If a state is very well organized and intent on cheating, workers at the site could try to hide evidence before inspectors gain access to a suspect facility. Attempts to clear out or clean up a site may be observed by national technical means of verification, such as satellites, which the United States would be able to focus on a suspect site in the interim period before inspectors arrive. Moreover, telltale signs of cheating are likely to be left behind in the rush to cover up prohibited activities before the arrival of inspectors. Hiding all traces of chemical weapons production can be very difficult, especially if state-of-the-art emission controls were not used at the site. Inspectors will be able to take and analyze soil and effluent samples from around the perimeter and, with the permission of the inspected party, inside the suspect site. Given adequate access, well-trained and equipped inspection teams have the capability to detect traces of chemical weapons production even if h
