The students of the 9th Edition of the First Level International Master Course in Protection Against CBRNe Events – Base Course for CBRNe First Responders successfully concluded Module 6: CBRNe Investigation, held from May 26 to May 30, 2025, at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata.
This highly intensive module represented a fundamental milestone in the educational journey of our First Responders, offering a complete and multidisciplinary overview of investigative methodologies in CBRNe events. The training program combined lectures, hands-on activities, and institutional visits conducted by a prestigious panel of national and international experts.
A key moment of the week was the Table Top Exercise (TTX) on Radiological and Nuclear scenarios, expertly conducted by Dr. Thornton and Dr. Iannotti, which served as the conclusion of the RN module completed the week before. This exercise provided a practical platform for students to simulate decision-making processes, incident management, and interagency coordination in a controlled yet realistic setting.
The core of the module was enriched by the following contributions:
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Dr. Szeles, Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority, delivered a detailed session on “Nuclear Forensics in Support of Criminal Investigation,” exploring the pivotal role of scientific analysis in tracing and attributing radioactive materials.
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Lt.Col. Gloria, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affair and International Cooperation, introduced students to “CBRNe Intelligence,” emphasizing the integration of intelligence processes in threat anticipation and operational planning.
- Dr. Cutrino, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affair and International Cooperation, delivered a technical session on “CBRNe Forensic Investigations,” covering protocols, sample integrity, and scene documentation.
- Dr. Ewann, INTERPOL, presented an international perspective with his lecture on “The Role of INTERPOL in CBRNe Investigations,” underlining cooperation frameworks and global incident management.
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The Italian Scientific State Police participated with key sessions led by Dr. Mei and Dr. Vernarecci, supported by additional personnel. Their contributions included:
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“The Role of the Scientific Police in CBRNe Investigations,”
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A technical demonstration on Latent Fingerprints and Forensic Genetics,
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Practical activities on investigative techniques in contaminated environments.
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- A special lecture was delivered by Major Del Gaudio of the 7th Regiment CBRN “Cremona”, who illustrated the military’s critical role in CBRN investigation and response, with a focus on structured intervention protocols, reconnaissance, and sampling
- Dr. Ottaviano, ENEA, contributed a lecture on “Elements of Nuclear Forensics,” with a focus on the scientific methodologies behind source attribution and contamination tracing.
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Dr. Filograna, Tor Vergata Hospital - PTV, introduced students to “Virtual Autopsy” tools and their relevance in CBRN-contaminated fatalities.
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Dr. Giuga, University of Rome Tor Vergata, guided a session on the operative management of autopsies, highlighting necessary protective measures and procedures in forensic pathology during CBRN events.
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Dr. Javed, The Pakistan House, shared insightful case studies and lessons learned from real CBRN incidents, allowing students to analyze operational decisions and response outcomes.
The week concluded with a highly engaging visit to the Italian Customs Agency at the Port of Civitavecchia, organized in collaboration with Dr. Lanuzza, Dr. Sibio, and their dedicated team. Students had the rare opportunity to:
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Witness the CBRN detection portals used to inspect containers arriving from international cargo ships,
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Visit the mobile chemical laboratory, equipped for real-time hazardous substance identification,
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Observe live demonstrations of field-deployed CBRN instruments, highlighting the integration of advanced technology in border control and national safety.
This experience provided valuable insights into operational procedures at key national infrastructure and showcased interagency cooperation in action.
Finally, special thanks go to Dr. Gabriele Giuga and Dr. Sabrina Rao, who accompanied the students throughout the week, ensuring the smooth organization of all activities and providing continuous educational and logistical support.
STAY TUNED!
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