In a rapidly evolving world, criminal entities are leveraging advanced technology and adapting swiftly to changing threat landscapes. Among the most concerning threats are crimes involving Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) materials, which have the potential to harm humans, animals, and the environment, or disrupt entire societies.
Investigation, prosecution, and adjudication remain critical weak points in the response to CBRN crimes. To address this, within the framework of the European Union’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) Initiative, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) has developed a comprehensive series of guidance manuals and capacity building packages to empower criminal justice authorities. In particular UNICRI has produced two essential resources: A Prosecutor’s Guide to Chemical and Biological Crimes and A Prosecutor’s Guide on Radiological and Nuclear Crimes. These guidebooks, funded by the EU, have been translated into multiple languages, including Arabic, French, English, Spanish, Romanian, Russian, and Ukrainian, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of end-users.
In collaboration with leading international organisations - including the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC ISU), and the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) - UNICRI has created over 40 training modules to enhance the capabilities of investigators, prosecutors, and judges.
The programme includes:
- Tabletop Exercises (TTX): Identifying gaps, needs, and priorities in a 2-day session.
- CBRN Criminalisation Workshop: A 2-day awareness session covering the full spectrum of CBRN criminalisation.
- Building a Case for Prosecution: A 5-day step-by-step training to prepare the CBRN criminal cases for prosecution.
- Mock Trial/Moot Court: A 3-day practical simulation involving real national stakeholders to adjudicate a CBRN case.
- Train the Trainer Programme: A 3–5-day course to ensure sustainability by integrating training modules into national curricula.
This initiative addresses the weakest links in CBRN safety and security, supporting Member States to strengthen their resilience and capabilities in dealing with such complex crimes.
