Within the framework of the European Union’s (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative, UNICRI conducted a five-day training course, entitled “Building a Case for the Prosecution of Chemical and Biological crimes”. This training course was implemented as part of the pilot project “Strengthening CBRN Investigation, Prosecution and Adjudication Capabilities in the Western Balkans Region”, which is fully funded by the European Union.
The training course was conducted from 1 to 5 December 2025, at the Military Academy in Skopje, North Macedonia. This arrangement was made possible thanks to the host country’s contribution of training facilities as part of co-funding.
A multi-disciplinary training for regional cooperation
The event was officially opened by the host country’s authorities, the funding institutions, and the organizers, including H.E. Elizabeta Chupovska Ristova, State Secretary, Ministry of Defense, North Macedonia; Mr. Ben Nupnau, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section, European Union (EU) Delegation in North Macedonia; and Mr. Talgat Toleubayev, Regional Coordinator at UNICRI. The event was officially closed by H.E. Elena Kuzmanovska, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia.
The event brought together 39 participants (36 in person and 3 online), including prosecutors, investigators, judges, forensic experts, law enforcement officials, and policymakers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia to simulate complex CBRN scenarios and foster regional cooperation in criminal justice responses. The course was delivered by experienced senior prosecutors, attorneys, investigators, CBRN forensic experts, and training specialists, who shared their expertise in prosecuting CBRN crimes.
The five-day intensive programme provided a comprehensive overview of how CBRN crimes are investigated, prosecuted, and adjudicated. It addressed the full lifecycle of a criminal case, beginning with the crime scene and continuing through all necessary steps leading to courtroom proceedings.
Participants examined the types of CBRN incidents, the definitions and categories of CBRN crimes, and the legal frameworks governing legislation, criminalization, and classification, including strategic trade controls and dual-use considerations. Real-world case studies from Iraq, Romania, the UK, and the USA grounded theoretical concepts in practice and illustrated the evolution of offences from ordinary crimes to war crimes.
From crime scene to courtroom: a comprehensive learning path
A major part of the course focused on operational responses. Participants explored the challenges of investigating and prosecuting CBRN crimes, alongside the roles of prosecutors in different legal systems and the mechanisms for mutual legal assistance (MLA), international legal cooperation, extraditions, and cross-border evidence development. Sessions also addressed intelligence handling, information sharing, joint interviews, and the inherent challenges of sharing intelligence safely and lawfully.
Hands-on components included crime scene management under CBRN and radiological conditions, scene zoning and cordons, detection and identification of hazardous substances, and an introduction to nuclear forensics. Practical examples demonstrated how nuclear forensic analysis can support cases. Participants received detailed instructions on types of CBRN evidence, evidence handling, chain of custody, integrity and admissibility, and the key points required to build a robust prosecution.
The course also examined the role of key partners in CBRN response, command-and-control structures, media and communication strategies, and approaches to undercover CBRN operations. Discussions highlighted how intelligence can be lawfully converted into prosecutable cases. Legal considerations such as proving intent, criminal charges, sentencing, appeals, and protection of witnesses and undercover officers were addressed through scenario-based learning and expert-led discussions.
Participants further engaged in investigative case reviews, explored case transfer and duration, discussed the role of CBRN expert witnesses, and examined how national preparedness can be strengthened through effective strategies and action plans.
Practical simulations, forensics, and IAEA joint expertise
By the end of the five days, attendees had gained a holistic understanding of how to build resilient, evidence-based cases for CBRN crimes, equipping them to navigate the complex interface between science, law enforcement, and the justice system in some of the most technically demanding criminal investigations.
This was the first-ever training course jointly conducted with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s Radiological Crime Scene Management and Nuclear Forensics. The value of this joint initiative lies in demonstrating to investigators, prosecutors, and judges the importance of crime scene management and nuclear forensics support in ensuring the proper handling of evidence and its admissibility in the courtroom. This complementary support was highly valued by the beneficiary countries and will be tested in other countries.
The initiative is grounded in two practical tools developed under the EU CBRN CoE framework: the flagship publications A Prosecutor’s Guide to Chemical and Biological Crimes (2022) and A Prosecutor’s Guide to Radiological and Nuclear Crimes (2023). These guides provide practitioners with structured methodologies, legal considerations, and operational guidance essential for building effective CBRN cases, and served as key references throughout the training programme.
Building sustainable capacities and advancing EU integration
Overall, this training program represents a decisive leap forward in strengthening the Western Balkans’ regional capacity to investigate and prosecute CBRN crimes, fostering deeper international cooperation, and ensure a resilient response to future challenges.
The three beneficiary countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, participating in this regional pilot project view themselves as future members of the European Union. For them, this long-awaited initiative is more than training: it is a strategic investment that elevates their investigation, prosecution, and adjudication capabilities, aligning national practices with European standards and reinforcing their path toward EU integration.
About the European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE)
The EU CBRN CoE initiative is a global Initiative funded and implemented by the European Union as part of its goal to promote peace, stability and conflict prevention. The aim of the Initiative is to mitigate risks and strengthen an all-hazards security governance in Partner Countries of the EU following a voluntary and demand-driven approach.
The EU CBRN CoE is led by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), in close coordination with the European External Action Service (EEAS). The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides technical support to Partner Countries, while the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) ensures a coherent and effective national, regional and international cooperation. Other relevant International and/or Regional Organisations and experts also contribute to the Initiative.
The initiative brings together 63 countries that cooperate at regional and international level to strengthen CBRN risk mitigation and to promote a global culture of safety and security. The CoE network supports the mitigation of and preparedness against CBRN risks by fostering good governance in the domain, enhancing regional and international multi-agency cooperation, and facilitating the transfer of best practices, among others. The bottom-up and demand-oriented nature of the activities carried out within the network, ensure that the support provided is sustainably tailored to countries’ and regions’ needs. Together, the CoE network members advance towards the shared goal of making the world a safer place.