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 PDF Author: International Atomic Energy Agency
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789201151131
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
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.

U.S. and Russian Collaboration in the Area of Nuclear Forensics

U.S. and Russian Collaboration in the Area of Nuclear Forensics PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 28

Book Description
Nuclear forensics has become increasingly important in the fight against illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials. The illicit trafficking of nuclear materials is, of course, an international problem; nuclear materials may be mined and milled in one country, manufactured in a second country, diverted at a third location, and detected at a fourth. There have been a number of articles in public policy journals in the past year that call for greater interaction between the U.S. and the rest of the world on the topic of nuclear forensics. Some believe that such international cooperation would help provide a more certain capability to identify the source of the nuclear material used in a terrorist event. An improved international nuclear forensics capability would also be important as part of the IAEA verification toolkit, particularly linked to increased access provided by the additional protocol. A recent study has found that, although international progress has been made in securing weapons-usable HEU and Pu, the effort is still insufficient. They found that nuclear material, located in 40 countries, could be obtained by terrorists and criminals and used for a crude nuclear weapon. Through 2006, the IAEA Illicit Trafficking Database had recorded a total of 607 confirmed events involving illegal possession, theft, or loss of nuclear and other radioactive materials. Although it is difficult to predict the future course of such illicit trafficking, increasingly such activities are viewed as significant threats that merit the development of special capabilities. As early as April, 1996, nuclear forensics was recognized at the G-8 Summit in Moscow as an important element of an illicit nuclear trafficking program. Given international events over the past several years, the value and need for nuclear forensics seems greater than ever. Determining how and where legitimate control of nuclear material was lost and tracing the route of the material from diversion through interdiction are important goals for nuclear forensics and attribution. It is equally important to determine whether additional devices or materials that pose a threat to public safety are also available. Finding the answer to these questions depends on determining the source of the material and its method of production. Nuclear forensics analysis and interpretation provide essential insights into methods of production and sources of illicit radioactive materials. However, they are most powerful when combined with other sources of information, including intelligence and traditional detective work. The certainty of detection and punishment for those who remove nuclear materials from legitimate control provides the ultimate deterrent for such diversion and, ultimately, for the intended goal of such diversion, including nuclear terrorism or proliferation. Consequently, nuclear forensics is an integral part of 'nuclear deterrence' in the 21st century. Nuclear forensics will always be limited by the diagnostic information inherent in the interdicted material. Important markers for traditional forensics (fingerprints, stray material, etc.) can be eliminated or obscured, but many nuclear materials have inherent isotopic or chemical characteristics that serve as unequivocal markers of specific sources, production processes, or transit routes. The information needed for nuclear forensics goes beyond that collected for most commercial and international verification activities. Fortunately, the international nuclear engineering enterprise has a restricted number of conspicuous process steps that makes the interpretation process easier. Ultimately, though, it will always be difficult to distinguish between materials that reflect similar source or production histories, but are derived from disparate sites. Due to the significant capital costs of the equipment and the specialized expertise of the personnel, work in the field of nuclear forensics has been restricted so far to a handful of national and international laboratories. There are a limited number of specialists who have experience working with interdicted nuclear materials and affiliated evidence. Therefore, a knowledge management system that utilizes information resources relevant to nuclear forensic and attribution signatures, processes, origins, and pathways, allowing subject matter experts to access the right information in order to interpret forensics data and draw appropriate conclusions, is essential. In order to determine the origin, point of diversion of the nuclear material, and those responsible for the unauthorized transfer, close relationships are required between governments who maintain inventories and data of fissile or other radioactive materials. Numerous databases exist in many countries and organizations that could be valuable for the future development and application of nuclear forensics.

Nuclear Forensics in Support of Investigations

Nuclear Forensics in Support of Investigations PDF Author: International Atomic Energy Agency
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789201021151
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
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.

Combating Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material

Combating Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789201098078
Category : Radioactive substances
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
This publication is intended for individuals and organizations that may be called upon to deal with the detection of and response to criminal or unauthorized acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material. It will also be useful for legislators, law enforcement agencies, government officials, technical experts, lawyers, diplomats and users of nuclear technology. In addition, the manual emphasizes the international initiatives for improving the security of nuclear and other radioactive material, and considers a variety of elements that are recognized as being essential for dealing with incidents of criminal or unauthorized acts involving such material.

Radiological Crime Scene Management

Radiological Crime Scene Management PDF Author: International Atomic Energy Agency
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789201087140
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 102

Book Description
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.

Identification of High Confidence Nuclear Forensics Signatures

Identification of High Confidence Nuclear Forensics Signatures PDF Author: International Atomic Energy Agency
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789201056177
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
The results of a Coordinated Research Project and related research on the identification of high confidence nuclear forensic isotopic...provides information on signatures that can help identify the origin and history of nuclear and other radioactive material encountered out of regulatory control.

Nuclear Forensics in Support of Investigations (Spanish Edition)

Nuclear Forensics in Support of Investigations (Spanish Edition) PDF Author: INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789203156219
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 70

Book Description
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.

Nuclear Forensic Analysis

Nuclear Forensic Analysis PDF Author: Kenton J. Moody
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 143988062X
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 516

Book Description
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 Support

Nuclear Forensics Support PDF Author: International Atomic Energy Agency
Publisher: IAEA
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 88

Book Description
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.

Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material

Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material PDF Author: International Atomic Energy Agency
Publisher: IAEA
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 178

Book Description
The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material was signed at Vienna and at New York on 3 March 1980. The Convention is the only international legally binding undertaking in the area of physical protection of nuclear material. It establishes measures related to the prevention, detection and punishment of offenses relating to nuclear material. A Diplomatic Conference in July 2005 was convened to amend the Convention and strengthen its provisions. The amended Convention makes it legally binding for States Parties to protect nuclear facilities and material in peaceful domestic use, storage as well as transport. It also provides for expanded cooperation between and among States regarding rapid measures to locate and recover stolen or smuggled nuclear material, mitigate any radiological consequences of sabotage, and prevent and combat related offences. The amendments will take effect once they have been ratified by two-thirds of the States Parties of the Convention.