THE HSWAGATA BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC PRESERVATION MUSEUM
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
Template No.: T214
Template Title: Risk Assessment for Testing Proposal (Faith / Heritage / Peace)
Related Research Case IDs / Cluster: Cluster E (Science, Testing, Misinformation), Cases 46–65 (add F if conflict risk; add H for ethics model)
Linked Templates / Policies: Scientific Verification SOP, Relic Respect & Safeguarding Rules, T178 (In-Kind/Relics Intake), T212 (Visitor FAQ Planning), T213 (Media Interview Prep), T163 (Risk Register Entry), T190 (Media Approval), T173 (Records Classification)
Date of form: ____ / ____ / ______
Prepared by / Role: _______________________
Office / Unit: ____________________________
Country / Location: _______________________
Confidentiality Level:
Internal only [ ] Restricted [ ] Sacred-Restricted / Sensitive [ ]
Use of this form (tick):
New case / action [ ] Follow-up [ ] Annual review [ ] Archive only [ ]
1) Purpose (why we use this form)
This form rates the risks of a testing proposal related to relics or sacred objects.
It checks faith risk, heritage risk, and peace risk, and records mitigation.
2) Testing proposal summary (proposal details)
Proposal title / reference: ________________________________________
Date received: ____ / ____ / ______
Requested by (person/organisation): ________________________________
Contact (optional): _______________________________________________
Reason for testing (tick): Care/conservation [ ] Education [ ] Authentication concern [ ] Rumour response [ ] Research [ ] Other: ____
Short description (2–4 lines):
3) Object / relic details (keep non-sensitive)
Item name / ID (museum reference): _________________________________
Item type (tick): Relic-related [ ] Sacred object [ ] Container/reliquary [ ] Material sample (already held) [ ] Other: ____
Current location (general): Display [ ] Storage [ ] Offsite (approved) [ ]
Current condition (tick): Good [ ] Fair [ ] Poor [ ] Unknown [ ]
Sensitivity warning: Do not write security routines, exact storage locations, or access methods here.
4) Proposed testing approach (high level only)
(Do not include “how-to” steps. Keep it general.)
Testing type (tick): Visual documentation only [ ] Non-destructive exam [ ] Material identification (non-destructive) [ ] Other: ____
Any sampling requested? Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure [ ]
If Yes/Not sure: this needs high-level approval. Mark Restricted/Sacred-Restricted.Proposed testing location (tick): On-site [ ] External lab [ ] Not stated [ ]
Proposed external lab/institution (if any): ___________________________
5) Stakeholders and likely public attention
Tick who may be affected.
Monastic community [ ] Local lay community [ ] Donors [ ] Pilgrims [ ] Government/heritage office [ ] Media/public [ ] Other: ____
Public sensitivity level (tick): Low [ ] Medium [ ] High [ ]
Reason (short): _________________________________________________
6) Rating guide (use for the next sections)
Likelihood (chance): 1 Rare [ ] 2 Unlikely [ ] 3 Possible [ ] 4 Likely [ ] 5 Almost certain [ ]
Impact (harm level): 1 Minor [ ] 2 Low [ ] 3 Medium [ ] 4 High [ ] 5 Severe [ ]
Overall risk level (tick): Low [ ] Medium [ ] High [ ] Critical [ ]
7) Faith risk assessment (faith risk)
Faith risk means: risk of disrespect, loss of trust, wrong claims, or harm to sacred meaning.
A) Main faith risks (tick all that apply)
Community feels the act is disrespectful [ ]
Testing is seen as “doubt” in a harmful way [ ]
Testing language may insult beliefs [ ]
Results may be misunderstood or used to attack faith [ ]
Pressure from outside groups to “prove” things [ ]
Other: __________________________ [ ]
B) Likelihood and impact
Likelihood: 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ]
Impact: 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ]
C) Faith risk notes (facts only, short):
D) Required doctrinal/ethics check
Doctrinal/ethics advisor consulted? Yes [ ] No [ ]
Name/role/date: _________________________________________________
8) Heritage risk assessment (heritage risk)
Heritage risk means: risk of physical damage, loss, contamination, or breaking conservation rules.
A) Main heritage risks (tick all that apply)
Handling may damage the item [ ]
Transport risk (if moving offsite) [ ]
Environmental risk (heat, humidity, light) [ ]
Loss/theft risk increases [ ]
Testing may require sampling (damage risk) [ ]
Documentation/chain-of-custody is unclear [ ]
Other: __________________________ [ ]
B) Likelihood and impact
Likelihood: 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ]
Impact: 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ]
C) Heritage risk notes (short):
D) Conservation check
Conservation unit consulted? Yes [ ] No [ ]
Name/role/date: _________________________________________________
9) Peace and social harmony risk assessment (peace risk)
Peace risk means: risk of conflict, rumours, polarisation, or community division.
A) Main peace risks (tick all that apply)
Testing may trigger community conflict [ ]
Different groups may compete over “ownership” claims [ ]
Misinformation may spread online [ ]
Media may create sensational stories [ ]
Political use of results [ ]
Blame/shame between temples or families [ ]
Other: __________________________ [ ]
B) Likelihood and impact
Likelihood: 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ]
Impact: 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ]
C) Peace risk notes (short):
D) Conflict/security check
Conflict/Security unit consulted? Yes [ ] No [ ]
Name/role/date: _________________________________________________
10) Mitigation plan (mitigation)
List controls to reduce risks. Tick and add details.
A) Faith risk mitigations
Use respectful wording and explain limits [ ]
Consult monastic/ethics advisor before action [ ]
Prepare a calm public explanation (if needed) [ ]
Avoid public “prove/disprove” language [ ]
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
B) Heritage risk mitigations
Use minimal handling and proper supports [ ]
Keep item on-site if possible [ ]
If transport: use secure chain-of-custody and approved packing [ ]
Limit access to authorised staff only [ ]
No sampling unless top approval [ ]
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
C) Peace risk mitigations
Stakeholder briefing (elders/temple leaders) before any action [ ]
Media plan and “red lines” prepared (T213) [ ]
Monitor rumours and respond calmly with facts [ ]
Keep results contextual and avoid blame [ ]
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
D) Communication control (tick)
Internal only updates until approval [ ]
Public statement needed? Yes [ ] No [ ]
If Yes: use T190 approval [ ] and link to T212 FAQ [ ]
11) Overall decision (approve / hold / refuse)
Decision (tick one):
Approve to proceed (with mitigations) [ ]
Approve only after changes (list below) [ ]
Hold for more information [ ]
Do not proceed / refuse testing proposal [ ]
Key reasons (short):
Conditions required (if approved)
If held: information needed
Documents needed: _______________________________________________
Who will provide: ______________________ By date: //____
12) Risk register and follow-up
Risk register entry needed (T163)? Yes [ ] No [ ]
If Yes, Risk ID: _______________________________
Follow-up review date: ____ / ____ / ______
Owner (name/role): _______________________________________________
13) Signatures and approvals
Prepared by (name/role): _______________________ Signature: __________ Date: //____
Reviewed by (Science/Verification): _____________ Signature: __________ Date: //____
Reviewed by (Conservation): ____________________ Signature: __________ Date: //____
Reviewed by (Doctrinal/Ethics): ________________ Signature: __________ Date: //____
Reviewed by (Security/Conflict): ________________ Signature: __________ Date: //____
Approved by (Director/Authority/Board): _________ Signature: __________ Date: //____
14) Attachments and filing
Attachments (tick):
Proposal document [ ] Photos/ID record [ ] Condition report [ ] Lab credentials [ ] Draft public message [ ] Other: ____
File code / reference ID: ____________________
Classification recommended (T173): Internal [ ] Restricted [ ] Sacred-Restricted [ ]
File location (cabinet/folder + digital path): __________________________
