Establishing a Nuclear Forensic Capability: Application of Analytical Techniques

Establishing a Nuclear Forensic Capability: Application of Analytical Techniques

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2023-06-15

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789201184238

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Nuclear forensics supports national nuclear security measures and criminal investigations by providing information on the identity, origin and history of nuclear or other radioactive material found out of regulatory control. This publication provides information for States on the use of nuclear forensics in response to criminal or other unauthorized acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material, based on the guidance provided in IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 2-G (Rev. 1), Nuclear Forensics in Support of Investigations. It is intended for technical and non-technical personnel responsible for developing nuclear forensic analytical capabilities within the context of a broader national nuclear forensic programme stemming from national legislation. It provides technical information that describes the application of specific methods, analytical techniques and technical expertise used for nuclear forensic analysis in support of investigations of criminal or other unauthorized acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material.


Application of Nuclear Forensics in Combating Illicit Trafficking of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material

Application of Nuclear Forensics in Combating Illicit Trafficking of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2013-06-30

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789201151131

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This publication presents the outcome of an IAEA coordinated research project (CRP), which served as a technical forum for sharing international experiences in the field of nuclear forensics with a focus on improved procedures and techniques, optimization of nuclear forensic analysis, preservation of evidence, and provision of support to Member States. The CRP results address both technical needs to develop the discipline of nuclear forensics as well as to promote confidence in the application of analytical methods and understanding of the nuclear fuel cycle applied to nuclear forensics. Topics include instrumentation and field work for evidence collection, novel laboratory methods supporting a nuclear forensic examination, and modeling for interpretation of nuclear forensic results.


Nuclear Forensic Analysis

Nuclear Forensic Analysis

Author: Kenton J. Moody

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2014-12-10

Total Pages: 516

ISBN-13: 143988062X

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Now in its second edition, Nuclear Forensic Analysis provides a multidisciplinary reference for forensic scientists, analytical and nuclear chemists, and nuclear physicists in one convenient source. The authors focus particularly on the chemical, physical, and nuclear aspects associated with the production or interrogation of a radioactive sample.


Nuclear Forensics

Nuclear Forensics

Author: Division on Earth and Life Studies

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2010-07-29

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13: 0309159113

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Nuclear forensics is important to our national security. Actions, including provision of appropriate funding, are needed now to sustain and improve the nation's nuclear forensics capabilities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), working with cooperating agencies and national laboratories, should plan and implement a sustainable, effective nuclear forensics program. Nuclear forensics is the examination and evaluation of discovered or seized nuclear materials and devices or, in cases of nuclear explosions or radiological dispersals, of detonation signals and post-detonation debris. Nuclear forensic evidence helps law enforcement and intelligence agencies work toward preventing, mitigating, and attributing a nuclear or radiological incident. This report, requested by DHS, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Department of Defense, makes recommendations on how to sustain and improve U.S. nuclear forensics capabilities. The United States has developed a nuclear forensics capability that has been demonstrated in real-world incidents of interdicted materials and in exercises of actions required after a nuclear detonation. The committee, however, has concerns about the program and finds that without strong leadership, careful planning, and additional funds, these capabilities will decline.


Analytical Methods for Nonproliferation

Analytical Methods for Nonproliferation

Author: Edward C. Morse

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2016-04-04

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 3319297317

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This book is intended to be used as a textbook and research reference for the field of nuclear nonproliferation. The book is primarily technical and focussed on methods of detecting clandestine nuclear material that might be illicitly transported. The book also touches on nuclear forensics, i.e. methods for identification, attribution, and establishment of transport pathways for illicit nuclear material. Also covered are topics of methods used for arms control and treaty verification, and an assessment of technologies under development for all of the above. A description of the government and international agencies involved in nuclear terrorism prevention, nuclear safeguards, and arms control is also included.


Nuclear Forensics

Nuclear Forensics

Author: Gene Aloise

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 2010-08

Total Pages: 17

ISBN-13: 1437918921

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The detonation of a nuclear weapon or radiological dispersal device in the U.S. or elsewhere would cause decision makers to demand info. on the nature of the device -- incl. its design, the materials used to build it, and the materials' source -- as well as the ident. of the perpetrators. Technical nuclear forensics -- the analysis of nuclear or radiological materials that are intercepted or the radioactive debris and prompt output signals produced by a nuclear event -- can contribute to the ident. of the sources of the materials and the processes used to create them. This report assesses the: (1) challenges the U.S. gov¿t. faces in developing and maintaining a comprehensive nuclear forensics capability; and (2) the current and future costs associated with this effort.


Radiological Crime Scene Management

Radiological Crime Scene Management

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2014-12-23

Total Pages: 102

ISBN-13: 9789201087140

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Radiological crime scene management is the process used to ensure safe, secure, effective and efficient operations at a crime scene where nuclear or other radioactive materials are known, or suspected, to be present. Managing a radiological crime scene is a key part of responding to a nuclear security event. Evidence collection at radiological crime scenes may share a wide range of characteristics with that at conventional crime scenes, such as evidence search patterns, geographical scene modelling and evidence recording, whether or not explosives are involved. This publication focuses on the framework and functional elements for managing a radiological crime scene that are distinct from any other crime scene. It assumes that States have a capability for managing conventional crime scenes.


Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States

Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2009-07-29

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 0309142393

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Scores of talented and dedicated people serve the forensic science community, performing vitally important work. However, they are often constrained by lack of adequate resources, sound policies, and national support. It is clear that change and advancements, both systematic and scientific, are needed in a number of forensic science disciplines to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices with consistent application. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward provides a detailed plan for addressing these needs and suggests the creation of a new government entity, the National Institute of Forensic Science, to establish and enforce standards within the forensic science community. The benefits of improving and regulating the forensic science disciplines are clear: assisting law enforcement officials, enhancing homeland security, and reducing the risk of wrongful conviction and exoneration. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States gives a full account of what is needed to advance the forensic science disciplines, including upgrading of systems and organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. While this book provides an essential call-to-action for congress and policy makers, it also serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecutors and attorneys, and forensic science educators.


The New Nuclear Forensics

The New Nuclear Forensics

Author: Vitaly Fedchenko

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 310

ISBN-13: 0198736649

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Nuclear material changes its form and properties as it moves through the nuclear fuel cycle, from one facility to another. Each step of the fuel cycle or each use of the material will inevitably leave its mark. The science of determining the history of a sample of nuclear material through the study of these characteristics is known as nuclear forensics. While nuclear forensic analysis has normally been associated with investigations and prosecutions in the contextof trafficking of nuclear materials or nuclear terrorism, it had wider applications in in national security contexts, such as nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control. The New Nuclear Forensics is the first book to give a definitive guide to this broader definition of nuclear forensic analysis. This book describes the various methods used in nuclear forensics, giving first a broad introduction to the process followed by details of relevant measurement techniques and procedures. In each case, the advantages and limitations are outlined. To put these methods in context, the book also recounts the history of the discipline anddescribes the diverse contemporary applications of nuclear forensics.


Nuclear Forensics of Special Nuclear Material at Los Alamos

Nuclear Forensics of Special Nuclear Material at Los Alamos

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2010

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Nuclear forensics of special nuclear materials is a highly specialized field because there are few analytical laboratories in the world that can safely handle nuclear materials, perform high accuracy and precision analysis using validated analytical methods. The goal of nuclear forensics is to establish an unambiguous link between illicitly trafficked nuclear material and its origin. The Los Alamos National Laboratory Nuclear Materials Signatures Program has implemented a graded 'conduct of operations' type approach for determining the unique nuclear, chemical, and physical signatures needed to identify the manufacturing process, intended use, and origin of interdicted nuclear material. In our approach an analysis flow path was developed for determining key signatures necessary for attributing unknown materials to a source. This analysis flow path included both destructive (i.e., alpha spectrometry, ICP-MS, ICP-AES, TIMS, particle size distribution, density and particle fractionation) and non-destructive (i.e., gamma-ray spectrometry, optical microscopy, SEM, XRD, and x-ray fluorescence) characterization techniques. Analytical techniques and results from three recent cases characterized by this analysis flow path along with an evaluation of the usefulness of this approach will be discussed in this paper.