STCU Attends Nuclear Forensics Workshop in Karlsruhe, Germany

22 Dec 2008 - 31 Dec 2008

On 2-4 December, STCU participated in a workshop on "Nuclear Forensics and Law Enforcement" for Caucasus countries, held in Karlsruhe, Germany. The event was organized by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with the Institute of Transuranium Elements (Karlsruhe) and the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC). Approximately 80 participants from 9 countries attended this workshop, including scientific delegations from STCU-Recipient countries Azerbaijan and Georgia.

International and regional cooperation in nuclear forensics, and the need to improve forensic technology and capabilities, is a priority issue for many nations in the fight against nuclear material smuggling. This workshop brought together regional law enforcement, nuclear regulatory officials and nuclear scientists to discuss basic principles of nuclear forensics; applications of nuclear forensics into national response plans to nuclear/radioactive smuggling; and development of research projects related to improving nuclear forensic capabilities.

During the workshop, the STCU-hosted Azeri and Georgian delegations developed preliminary proposals for possible STCU projects in the sphere of nuclear forensics.