The case for nuclear forensics to strengthen nuclear security internationally (Chinese Edition)

Romanian authorities have identified an organized crime group tied to two incidents at a Bucharest airport in 2018 involving playing cards contaminated with small amounts of radioactive material. Using their nuclear forensics skills and equipment, acquired in part through IAEA support, Romanian authorities determined that the cards were contaminated with iodine-125, which was being used to cheat at Xoc Dia, a popular game. This, along with information exchanged between experts facilitated by the IAEA and the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group (ITWG), led to a full criminal investigation that was closed in 2019. Initially, the two incidents were seen as isolated and considered to be misdemeanours with no legal grounds for a criminal investigation. However, information shared at an annual ITWG meeting helped link the two cases with other cases from different countries.