Webinar on the First Two Months of a Nuclear Forensic Examination

Date and Time

Tuesday, 15 April 2025

Time:?05:00 – 06:30 and?17:00 – 18:30 Vienna (Austria) Time

Duration: 1.5 hour

View the recording →

Background

Nuclear forensics is the examination of nuclear or other radioactive material or of evidence contaminated with radionuclides in the context of legal proceedings under international or national law related to nuclear security. This field of specialization supports national nuclear security measures and criminal investigations by providing information on the identity, origin and history of nuclear or other radioactive material found outside of regulatory control. It uses analytical techniques to generate data in the context of a criminal investigation. Capability in this specialized field can enhance national nuclear security programmes and support the enforcement of a State’s laws that prohibit the possession and use of nuclear or other radioactive material out of regulatory control.

The IAEA Nuclear Security Series (NSS) No. 2-G (Rev. 1), Nuclear Forensics in Support of Investigations, provides detailed guidance on the role of nuclear forensics in the context of investigating various types of criminal or other unauthorized acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material. It specifically describes the relevance of reporting at 24 hours, one week, and two months after sample receipt in the laboratory.

Previous webinars in this series covered the activities typically taken within 24 hours of sample receipt and within one week of sample receipt. This webinar will focus on the activities taken within the first two months of a nuclear forensic investigation. Technical and non-technical personnel interested in this webinar will gain information on developing and implementing nuclear forensic mass spectrometry capabilities within the context of a broader national nuclear forensic programme stemming from national legislation.

This will be the fourth webinar in the Webinar Series on Nuclear Forensics in Global Nuclear Security. The webinar series is designed to include an interactive and dynamic approach that encourages the audience to participate and respond in real time. Future webinars in the series will feature nuclear forensics applications in criminal investigations of material outside of regulatory control, as well as other topics.

Objective

The objectives of the webinar are:
? To engage nuclear forensic practitioners and stakeholders in a simulated nuclear forensic investigation exercise.
? To present the IAEA’s assistance programme for establishing a nuclear forensic capability supporting nuclear security.