On January 20, 2026, CVŘ, as a coordinator of the Czech participation, submitted the final report from the nuclear forensics exercise CMX-8, which summarizes the results of an extensive forensics scenario focused on investigating illicit trafficking of nuclear materials. The exercise, organized by the ITWG (Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group), is one of the most significant of its kind, with more than 20 countries taking part this year.
Participation in CMX-8 is part of our long-term effort to build the capacities needed for investigating incidents involving radioactive and nuclear materials. The exercise provides a unique opportunity to test in practice the international standards of nuclear forensic analysis as well as the procedures used by security services during crime scene operations.
The year's exercise scenario began at the National Institute for NBC Protection (SÚJCHBO). At the simulated crime scene, experts from SÚJCHBO, the Police of the Czech Republic, the Fire Rescue Service, the State Office for Nuclear Safety, and CVŘ worked together. Their task was to verify the procedures of response teams, secure evidence, and ensure its safe transport to the laboratories.
The subsequent nuclear forensic analyses were carried out by a consortium of Czech laboratories coordinated by our company. The samples underwent detailed tests aimed at their categorization, characterization, and comparison of nuclear forensic signatures with available reference libraries. The classical forensic part of the case management was then prepared by the Institute of Criminalistics of the Police of the Czech Republic.
For the first time, the exercise successfully tested close coordination between CVŘ, investigators from the National Centre for Counterterrorism, Extremism, and Cybercrime (NCTEKK), the services of the Integrated Rescue System, and investigators of the Police of the Czech Republic within a realistic scenario. The results of all participating teams were consolidated into a final report prepared by the NCTEKK investigators.
The organizers from ITWG are now evaluating the exercise. . The results will be published in May 2026 at a meeting in Bucharest. We will inform you about how the Czech Republic performed.
This collaboration significantly improved the coordination among all participating authorities and represents a significant step towards strengthening CVŘ’s growing role in the Czech Republic’s nuclear security response system.
