Smuggling radioactive material - a demonstration exercise in the framework of EU-project EDEN

The EDEN (End-User Driven Demo for CBRNe) FP7 Demonstration Project is an European collaborative project involving a consortium of 36 members across 15 countries, including practitioners, corporate stakeholders, universities and research institutes. In the three-year project, the central question is how and with which tools one can counteract attacks or accidents involving chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear or explosive materials (CBRNE). Aim of the project is the demonstration of a comprehensive system of systems of measures against such events, which require prevention before they can happen, response if they occur, and recovery afterwards. In the framework of the project different related methodological and technical tools were compiled into systems, further developed, tested and demonstrated in exercise scenarios. The tools are for example measuring devices, communication systems or simulation programs. The EDEN solutions matured during the project allow the opportunity to evaluate large scale integration of CBRNE Security and Counter-Terrorism techniques whilst improving cross border cooperation and interoperability. A sustainable impact will be achieved by an open and secure internet platform, called EDEN Store, where a data base in a multidimensional structure with tools and expert services etc. can be addressed by suppliers and practitioners, also when the project has ended.Aside from large scale demonstrations regarding CBRNE risks several medium size demonstration exercises were performed. The present presentation focuses on a thematic demonstration, which was organized by Fraunhofer INT and executed at the ENEA Research Centre in Frascati in Italy. Scenario was the attempt to smuggle radioactive material across a border and to start blackmailing. During the demonstration tool suppliers who subscribed to the EDEN Store had the opportunity to get their tools involved. The demonstration comprised two parts: In part one it was demonstrated that the radioactive source, hidden in a vehicle, could be detected, localized and identified at the fictive border crossing station, where different types of detector systems were employed. In part two of the demonstration it was assumed that a group of fictive smugglers have been successful in transporting the radioactive material across the border and that there are hints, that the material is hidden on a parking place. Under these circumstances a covert search had to be performed. Special designed measurement systems were used to this purpose. It could be demonstrated that it was possible to detect, localize and identify the radioactive source, while the measurement results were transferred to a control centre.The demonstration was observed by 110 visitors, experts and stakeholders out of 9 countries. The visitors had the opportunity to have a closer look at the involved tools and to practice after the demonstration. An evaluation showed that to the most tools an added value was attested.