From the CBRN Crime Scene to the Courtroom: Training for the ASEAN Region

Investigation, prosecution and adjudication of incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) materials require close coordination between diverse stakeholders. Defence and civilian scientists play a special role in the investigation and prosecution of CBRN criminal cases, helping collect, identify, and preserve evidence to be presented in court. Sample collection and laboratory analysis using proper detection and identification equipment and protocols help law enforcement authorities build a case for prosecution. In some cases, scientific and technical experts may also testify in court. For this reason, prosecution authorities need to know how to work hand in hand with scientists to help take a criminal case from the CBRN-contaminated crime scene to the courtroom.   

The European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence EU CBRN CoE and the Network of ASEAN Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Defence Experts (ASEAN CBR Network), understand the distinctly cross-cutting nature of CBRN crimes and the importance of creating opportunities for technical exchange and cooperation to enhance regional capabilities in the handling of CBRN materials.

Joint workshop for defence and civilian scientists from Southeast Asia

With a view to this shared commitment, on 30 October to 3 November 2023, the EU CBRN CoE and the ASEAN CBR Network delivered a joint workshop, bringing together 40 defence and civilian scientists from across Southeast Asia to strengthen “Detection, Response and Deterrence of Biological and Radiological Crimes”.

The workshop featured a two-day training based on A Prosecutor’s Guide to Chemical and Biological Crimes, published in 2022, and ‘A Prosecutor’s Guide to Radiological Crimes’, expected to be finalised by the end of the year 2023.

The first jointly funded, jointly implemented event between the EU CBRN CoE and the ASEAN CBR Network was organised with the support  of Singapore’s DSO National Laboratories, in close coordination with UNICRI, the IAEA, EU CBRN CoE Project 62 (“On-Site Technical Assistance to Southeast Asia”) and the CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat for the Southeast Asia.

Advancing guidance for the prosecution and adjudication of CBRN crimes

Representing an important contribution to CBRN risk mitigation, the Prosecutor’s Guides include associated training packages consisting of 37 modules. The aim is to provide police, prosecutors, and relevant investigative bodies with guidance to support the successful prosecution of incidents involving the deliberate acquisition, stockpiling, production, transfer, or use/misuse of CBRN materials.

Funded by the European Union, the Guides and associated training packages were developed under the coordination of UNICRI in close cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Nuclear Forensics Laboratory of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) and relevant subject matter professionals supported by the EU CBRN CoE Project P94 (On-site Technical Assistance to the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Regional Secretariats).

General publications15 July 2022

A Prosecutor's Guide to Chemical and Biological Crimes

This Guide aims to provide police, prosecutors, and relevant investigative agencies with guidance to support the successful prosecution of incidents involving the deliberate acquisition, stockpiling, production, transfers, or use of chemical or biological agents.

Developed by UNICRI with EU CBRN CoE support, it is the first in a series of CBRN forensics guidebooks aimed to advance guidance on policies, recommendations and best practices to enforce and build up forensics capabilities in the domain.

English

(4.06 MB - PDF)

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