North-West University (NWU) nuclear forensics expert Dr Tebogo Kupi has added his expertise to national efforts to strengthen the response by South Africa to incidents involving radioactive and nuclear materials.

Dr Kupi recently took part as an expert in the National Workshop on Radiological Crime Scene Management. The workshop ran from 31 August to 4 September 2026 in Centurion, with practical sessions held at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa).

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) invited Dr Kupi to participate as a lecturer and lead exercises and discussions. The workshop trained participants in advanced methods for managing radiological crime scenes. These included command arrangements, safety measures, risk reduction and procedures unique to such scenes. 

Dr Kupi delivered lectures on selected topics during the first three days. He then conducted practical demonstrations during sessions at Necsa on Thursday and Friday.

His role follows several years of involvement in nuclear forensics and radiological crime scene management.

In 2025, Dr Kupi attended an IAEA train-the-trainer course in Seibersdorf, Austria. The course prepared experts to deliver national workshops on radiological crime scene management. It covered technical knowledge and teaching skills based on IAEA nuclear security guidance. 

His international training also includes the International Training Course on Nuclear Forensic Methodologies in Karlsruhe, Germany, in October 2024. That programme covered radiological crime scenes, nuclear evidence, contamination control, radionuclide identification and gamma spectrometry. 

Dr Kupi has also contributed to international nuclear security work. In 2023, he participated in an IAEA preparatory meeting in Austria for an integrated workshop on radiological crime scene management and nuclear forensics. 

His work extends to research. In May 2026, he presented research on uranium analysis at the Advanced Nuclear Science and Technology Techniques Workshop. The research highlighted the role of analytical methods in nuclear safeguards, nuclear forensics and material verification. 

Dr Kupi’s latest involvement positions him as an expert contributing to skills development in a field where science, law enforcement and nuclear security meet. It also strengthens the role of the NWU in building capacity in South Africa to manage radiological crime scenes and advance nuclear forensic science.

Dr Tebogo Kupi