Webinar on the First Week of a Nuclear Forensic Examination

Date and Time

Wednesday, 26 February 2025

Time:?07:00 – 08:30 and?13:00 – 14:30 Vienna (Austria) Time

Duration: 1.5 hour

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Background

Nuclear forensics is the examination of nuclear or other radioactive material, or of evidence that is contaminated with radionuclides, in the context of legal proceedings under international or national law related to nuclear security. This field of specialisation 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 specialised field can enhance national nuclear security programmes and can 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 act involving nuclear or other radioactive material, and specifically describes the relevance of reporting at 24 hours, one week, and two months after sample receipt in the laboratory.

This webinar will focus on the activities taken within the first week of a nuclear forensic investigation. Technical and non-technical personnel interested in this webinar will gain information in developing and implementing nuclear forensic analytical capabilities within the context of a broader national nuclear forensic programme stemming from national legislation.

This will be the third 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 encourage the audience to participate and respond in real-time. Future webinars in the series will feature “The First Two Months of a Nuclear Forensic Examination”, and other topics.

Objectives

The objectives of the webinar are:

• To engage nuclear forensic practitioners and stakeholders from around the world in a simulated nuclear forensic investigation exercise.
• To present the IAEA’s assistance programme for establishing a nuclear forensic capability in support of nuclear security.