The Role of Nuclear Forensics for Determining the Origin of Nuclear Materials Out of Regulatory Control and Nuclear Security

Abstract

The international community recognizes the rise in theft and illicit trafficking of nuclear materials and radioactive sources—for malicious use and nuclear terrorism—as a serious threat. That is why a well-developed nuclear forensics capability is an integral part of a robust nuclear security program and a key element of nuclear security infrastructure. Both pre- and post-detonation nuclear forensics are vital for controlling theft and illicit trafficking of nuclear materials, as well as identifying and tracing their sources. Nuclear forensics analysis and interpretation processes for nuclear security is a systematic process that includes: (1) sample collection and categorization techniques and (2) detailed nuclear forensics analytical plans, which are a laboratory analysis of physical and chemical properties of the collected or seized nuclear and radioactive materials. Besides nuclear materials, the non-nuclear and biological materials present in seized nuclear materials can also provide important information about the source and origin of nuclear materials. Upon complete analysis of the seized materials, the data interpretation to trace the origin of the nuclear and radiological materials is one of the most critical steps to identifying the origin of the materials, which depends on the availability of similar data to compare. So, each country should have its own incident register system (IRS) and collaborate with the International Technical Working Group (ITWG), Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB), and IAEA for data sharing and interpretation.

Innovative Vibrational Spectroscopy Research for Forensic Application

“…Nuclear materials are at an increasing threat level of being stolen and illegally trafficked for nefarious purposes, such as nuclear terrorism. 166 Understanding the chemical elements of nuclear materials, how they degrade, and characterization predetonation and postdetonation is vital for monitoring trafficked compounds. A primary stage in nuclear forensic analysis is sample collection and categorization methods.…”

“…A primary stage in nuclear forensic analysis is sample collection and categorization methods. 166 While there are many analytical methods that have been used for analyzing nuclear materials (X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and alpha spectrometry), vibrational spectroscopy has been shown to be a useful technique for the detection and characterization of radioactive compounds. In 2021, a review article was published on the recent advances in nuclear chemistry, covering a wide range of analytical methods for analyzing nuclear samples.…”

“…Understanding the chemical elements of nuclear materials, how they degrade, and characterization predetonation and postdetonation is vital for monitoring trafficked compounds. A primary stage in nuclear forensic analysis is sample collection and categorization methods . While there are many analytical methods that have been used for analyzing nuclear materials (X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and alpha spectrometry), vibrational spectroscopy has been shown to be a useful technique for the detection and characterization of radioactive compounds.…”

Identification of nuclear materials using portable laser-induced plasma spectroscopy

“…As a result, the potential for illicit use of nuclear materials has increased. In view of the complex and severe international nuclear security situation, the international community attaches great importance to nuclear security and safeguard [2][3][4] . Nuclear forensics technology can provides information on the source, production, and history of nuclear material，which is useful to prevention of the nuclear security event and emergency response 5 .…”