European Commission - Directorate General for Energy
European Commission - Directorate General for Energy
01/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/21/2025 07:58
EU launches three-year project to support strengthening crime scene forensics and prosecution capabilities in investigating CBRN incidents in the Middle East
The current geopolitical situation in the Middle East is unstable, with a significant possibility of CBRN-type incidents or accidents. It becomes, therefore, of fundamental importance to strengthen regional forensic skills in the field of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear disaster.
As part of its mission to advance CBRN risk mitigation and enhance security and safety worldwide, the European Union has launched a new project that will support the strengthening of crime scene forensics and prosecution capabilities in investigating CBRN incidents in the Middle East region.
Established in the context of the EU CBRN CoE Initiative, the so-called project TRACE ME will aim to develop highly qualified capacities in the field of CBRN forensics for each partner country based on their needs, considering also a regional approach to foster interoperability. All participating countries - Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon - are members of the EU CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat for Middle East.
Funded by the European Union, the three-year project will be implemented under the coordination of ENEA, with the support of a consortium composed of HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research, Fondazione SAFE, Italian Ministry of Defence, American University of Beirut, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, European Public Law Organization, and University of Rome "Tor Vergata".
What are the project's objectives?
The project 'sTRengthening crime scene forensics and prosecution cApabilities in investigating Cbrn incidEnts in the Middle East region - TRACE ME' will work to achieve the following objectives, among others:
- Strengthen existing traditional forensic capabilities in investigating and prosecuting CBRN incidents among all relevant stakeholders.
- Develop a training programme on forensic investigations and prosecution in CBRN related case.
- Improve forensic awareness and procedures for first responders.
- Foster interoperability of institutions, authorities and first responders in CBRN incidents.
- Establish a network of CBRN and forensics-related institutions and experts dealing with CBRN investigations at national and regional level.
Visit the project's page for a complete overview of its scope, planned activities, and expected outcomes.
EU CBRN Risk Mitigation: Building a safer and more secure world
The European Union funds the project 'sTRengthening crime scene forensics and prosecution cApabilities in investigating Cbrn incidEnts in the Middle East region - TRACE ME' within the framework of the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence EU CBRN CoE. Supported through the NDICI - Global Europe instrument, the Initiative represents the EU's largest civilian external security programme.
Funded and implemented by the European Union, with the support of UNICRI, the EU CBRN CoE is working to build a safer and more secure world.
The EU CBRN CoE brings together 63 Partner Countries across 8 regions that cooperate at regional and international level to strengthen CBRN risk mitigation and to promote a global culture of safety and security. Since the Initiative's inception in 2010, more than 100 EU-funded projects have been implemented to support the mitigation of and preparedness to CBRN risks.
Visit the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation page to learn more about the EU CBRN CoE and other EU flagship initiatives strengthening CBRN safety and security worldwide.