The first report from WikiProcessi, the platform that bridges law and science to study legal responsibility during natural events, is now online. This innovative tool collects and analyzes legal proceedings related to natural events such as floods and earthquakes, providing critical support for emergency prevention and management.
“Every event leaves a trace, not only on territories and communities but also in the legal proceedings and trials that follow. These traces, however fragmented, reveal elements valuable to science and tell stories that deserve to be heard and understood,” explains lawyer Marco Altamura, legal advisor and Program Director at CIMA Research Foundation. He introduces WikiProcessi as an innovative platform jointly owned by the Italian Department of Civil Protection and CIMA Research Foundation, a Competence Center on civil protection responsibility, and created and managed by the Foundation.
WikiProcessi is an evolution of the DeWikiGiustizia database but is much more than a simple archive. It is a digital space where the memory of catastrophic events intertwines with legal analysis, becoming an indispensable tool for studying civil protection responsibility and for risk prevention. The project also benefited from contributions by Francesca Munerol, Margherita Andreaggi, and Luca Molini, researchers at CIMA Research Foundation, and Davide Amato from the Catholic University of Milan.
CIMA Research Foundation is not only a center of excellence in research and risk management but also addresses legal issues related to natural risks. “Our mission is to integrate scientific and legal expertise to build a more resilient and informed system,” says Altamura. From atmospheric and hydrological modeling to legal and social consultancy, CIMA Research Foundation adopts a multidisciplinary approach. The WikiProcessi platform embodies this philosophy with its innovative approach.
A dynamic knowledge asset for civil protection
WikiProcessi represents a significant advancement in managing information related to civil protection risks. It systematically gathers documentation on legal cases—primarily criminal and national—concerning the responsibility of civil protection operators in events like floods, landslides, earthquakes, and windstorms. “The idea behind WikiProcessi is to prevent the loss of valuable information found in legal proceedings and to organize it in a way that is useful not only to experts but also to anyone interested in exploring these topics,” explains Margherita Andreaggi, a researcher at CIMA Research Foundation.
A distinctive feature of the platform is its interactivity. Users—whether technical experts, administrators, or interested citizens—can request credentials to access sections such as “Research,” “Glossary,” and “Communication” to find specific answers or delve into a case. The result is an informational ecosystem that not only preserves knowledge but also fosters understanding and debate.
The platform is more than a database; it is also a tool for analyzing collected data. Its advanced functionalities allow users to generate and visualize a wide range of statistics: the number of cases over time, regional variations, triggering phenomena, profiles of individuals involved, and case outcomes. This makes it an essential tool for research on the legal responsibility of civil protection operators.
Case analysis: a lens on risks
With the release of its first report, WikiProcessi has demonstrated its full potential. As of late 2024, the platform monitors approximately 190 criminal cases related to natural events such as floods, landslides, earthquakes, and windstorms. These cases form a unique database with detailed entries including summaries, court rulings, expert opinions, and key documents. The analyses also reveal significant trends, such as the involvement of specific professional roles. Technicians account for 34% of those involved, followed by administrators (22.3%), private individuals (24.8%), and mayors (18.9%).
“Each entry has been compiled with scientific and legal rigor, leaving no room for ambiguous interpretations,” emphasizes Lisa Martinelli, a Ph.D. student at the University of Genoa involved in the report’s creation. “The goal is to provide clear and contextualized data to help understand not only what happened but also the legal dynamics that followed.”
A notable finding from the 2024 report concerns case outcomes: fewer than 7% result in convictions, while most lead to acquittals (55.6%) or dismissals (29.7%). This highlights the legal complexities and challenges of determining responsibility in emergency contexts.
An emblematic example is the analysis of proceedings related to events such as the 2013 Olbia flood and the 2017 Livorno flood. In the Olbia case, the Court of Cassation ruling emphasized the critical role of mayors as guarantors, while the Livorno case highlighted the importance of predictability and proactive measures, such as timely population warnings.
This multidisciplinary approach makes WikiProcesses a unique tool, capable of combining the narration of events with valuable technical-legal analysis.
A future of shared responsibility
WikiProcessi’s strength also lies in its adaptability to the evolving needs of the sector. The platform is designed to grow and enrich over time, incorporating new cases and regulatory updates. “WikiProcessi is not just a tool for professionals. Its mission is to raise awareness and engage society as a whole, because civil protection responsibility is a matter that concerns us all,” says Altamura.
The first report is just the beginning of a journey aimed at making knowledge a cornerstone of risk reduction and emergency management. With the support of the Department of Civil Protection and the expertise of CIMA Research Foundation, WikiProcessi aims to become a reference point not only for Italy but also for the international community.
In a world where the complexity of risks is constantly increasing, tools like WikiProcessi are not just valuable—they are indispensable. As Andreaggi reminds us, “Knowledge is the first step toward prevention.”