An event celebrated last 12 October in Karlsruhe marked the celebration of 20 years providing nuclear forensics support by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. Nuclear forensics provides information for the prosecution of nuclear smugglers and enables the identification of the origin of the intercepted material, thus providing essential information for improving preventive measures.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) celebrated the 20 anniversary of its support on nuclear forensics with an event celebrated last 12 October in Karlsruhe which brought together experts and policy makers from the European Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as well as representatives of EU countries and public authorities from the US and Germany. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) launched in December 2011 two initiatives aimed at preserving and upgrading skills in the nuclear field in the EU.

The JRC has developed various methods that allow identification of the origin of intercepted material and the probable intended use. With a team on standby at all times to respond immediately to a seizure, a first analysis can be achieved within 24 hours of a sample arriving at the JRC. Moreover, the JRC maintains an extensive database of commercial nuclear materials, together with information on seized illicit materials, helping the investigators in providing hints on the origin of the material.

Nuclear forensics is a highly sophisticated methodology, available only in few specialised laboratories worldwide. It is a key component in nuclear security as it provides information for the prosecution of nuclear smugglers and enables the identification of the origin of the intercepted material, thus providing essential information for improving preventive measures.