Nuclear forensics is a rapidly evolving scientific discipline that is essential for determining the composition of radioactive material, as well as tracing its origin and history. It has become one of the most important elements in the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases involving nuclear and other radioactive material.

UNODC’s chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism prevention programme hosted the second session of its virtual speaker series on ICSANT and nuclear terrorism (an initiative funded by the Government of Canada) on 16 February 2024. The event highlighted the critical role of nuclear forensics in preventing and responding to acts of nuclear terrorism and other criminal conduct involving nuclear and other radioactive material and underlined the role of ICSANT in fostering international cooperation in this regard.

The session brought together three international experts in nuclear forensics: Dr. Andrei I. Apostol (Judicial Technical Expert; Director of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Non-proliferation, RoPower, Romania), Dr. Éva Széles (Nuclear Forensics Expert; Special Scientific Advisor on Nuclear Security, Center for Energy Research, Hungary), and Dr. Ed Van Zalen (Programme Manager CBRN, Netherlands Forensic Institute, Netherlands). Dr. Artem Lazarev (Programme Officer, CBRN Terrorism Prevention Programme, Terrorism Prevention Branch, UNODC) moderated the event, which was attended by some 70 participants.

Following the moderator’s brief overview of ICSANT’s main provisions, particularly those concerning international cooperation, the experts examined the main elements of nuclear forensics and its differences with more traditional forensics. They concurred that nuclear forensics plays multiple roles, from assisting radiological crime scene management and supporting the investigation of such crimes to determining the origin of the seized material to serving as a deterrent for potential criminal use of relevant material.

The experts discussed multiple challenges that countries may face in developing and implementing nuclear forensics capabilities. These include, but are not limited to, lack of adequate legal frameworks and awareness by national stakeholders of their relevant roles, and varying capacities across countries and national procedures that may hinder the dispatch of samples abroad for nuclear forensics analysis.

In this regard, the experts underscored the significance of international cooperation based on ICSANT and other international agreements. They discussed a hypothetical cross-border scenario to demonstrate how the Convention facilitates information sharing and collaborative forensic efforts among State parties, thereby enhancing global security. Platforms for international cooperation on nuclear forensics are offered by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Union and UNODC, among others. For example, UNODC conducts mock trials on the implementation of ICSANT and collaborates with several other international organizations and countries on tabletop exercises that support participating States’ forensics responses to incidents related to nuclear or other radioactive material which fall under the scope of ICSANT.

In conclusion, the speakers reiterated the crucial role of collaboration among national institutions, as well as countries and international organizations to maximize the effectiveness of nuclear forensics efforts and the importance of trust among nuclear forensics experts across the globe.

A video recording of the event is available here.

Upcoming sessions of UNODC’s virtual speaker series will feature experts from international organizations, Member States, non-governmental organizations and academia, and will explore additional topics related to nuclear security in the context of ICSANT.