In April 2027, the University of Bologna will host T.R.A.C.I.N.G. Palaeontology 2027 , an international, multidisciplinary initiative to co-develop voluntary, operational tools - such as standard provenance templates, geo forensic methods and traceability protocols - aimed at improving documentation, legal clarity and the protection of palaeontological heritage.
Demand for fossils and international market activity have grown, while documentation practices, forensic capacity and cross border procedures remain inconsistent. This mismatch generates legal uncertainty and operational delays. T.R.A.C.I.N.G. aims to reduce these problems by developing shared, practical tools that improve traceability , support lawful activity and enable more effective enforcement.
Promoted by the IUGS-IFG - Initiative on Forensic Geology and hosted by Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, the project brings together expertise from eight complementary perspectives : academia, museums and heritage institutions, law enforcement and customs, the commercial sector, industry and compliance, legal and judiciary, geo forensics, and communications.
The IUGS-IFG will provide neutral technical stewardship to ensure scientific rigour and international relevance. The University of Bologna’s hosting underscores the academic and institutional basis for the project and provides a central venue to convene working groups and formalise deliverables.