Nuclear Forensics Support

Nuclear Forensics Support

Illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material has been an issue of concern since the first seizures in the early 1990s. By the end of 2004, IAEA member states had confirmed 540 cases with another 500 unconfirmed. This publication sets out information on the use of nuclear forensic investigation methods in incidents involving nuclear and other radioactive material. Issues covered include: definitions of key terms, the Nuclear Forensics Plan of Action, incident response, laboratory sampling and distribution, nuclear forensic analysis, traditional methods of forensic analysis, nuclear forensic interpretation, and the procedures involved in requesting assistance from the IAEA.

NUCLEAR FORENSICS SUPPORT.

Nuclear Forensics in Support of Investigations

This publication is a revision of IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 2, Nuclear Forensics Support, which was published in 2006. Since then, there has been substantive expansion and confidence in the application of nuclear forensics globally to effectively counter the threat of nuclear and other radioactive materials out of regulatory control. Most significantly, nuclear forensics has been applied in response to a number of incidents involving the illicit trafficking of highly enriched uranium and plutonium. The essential lessons learned from these experiences are incorporated in the revised publication to update the procedures and methods used in the conduct of a nuclear forensic examination as well as stress the importance of international cooperation.