Implementing Guide on Nuclear Forensics in Support of Investigations – Current Guidance and Challenges in Developing Nuclear Forensics Capabilities in Member States

Date and time

Tuesday, 20 October 2020
14:00 - 15:00 (Vienna, Austria time)

Register here →

Description

Nuclear and other radioactive material is prevalent throughout the nuclear fuel cycle, and is also widely used in other industries and in research, medical and biological studies and other technical and scientific applications. It is a State’s responsibility to implement a nuclear security infrastructure to protect these materials, including measures designed to prevent, detect and respond to nuclear security events. When nuclear and other material is detected out of regulatory control, States should be prepared to respond appropriately, including applying nuclear forensics in support of investigations.

Nuclear forensics involves a comprehensive plan undertaken by States to determine the origin and history of nuclear and other radioactive material in support of law enforcement or nuclear security investigations. The IAEA Nuclear Security Series (NSS) No. 2-G Implementing Guide on Nuclear Forensics in Support of Investigations, published in 2015, presents guidance on the role of nuclear forensics in the context of investigating a spectrum of possible nuclear security events involving nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control. It is designed to provide descriptions of nuclear forensic examinations; the role of nuclear forensics in a national nuclear security infrastructure, including investigation of a nuclear security event; and mechanisms for international cooperation and assistance in nuclear forensics.

The objectives of the webinar are to:

• Introduce an overview of the publication IAEA Nuclear Security Series (NSS) No. 2-G, “Implementing Guide Nuclear Forensics in Support of Investigations”;
• Enhance participants’ awareness and understanding of the scope and application of nuclear forensics and its respective role in the context of a nuclear security event involving nuclear and other radioactive material found out of regulatory control;
• Discuss the challenges and opportunities in designing, implementing, and sustaining nuclear forensic capabilities in Member States, required to provide a coordinated and effective response to nuclear security events;
• Raise awareness on the IAEA program of assistance for nuclear forensics capacity building.

Panelists

Eva Kovacs-Szeles, Head, Hungarian National Nuclear Forensics Laboratory for the Centre for Energy Research, Hungary

Henrik Horne, IAEA