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Application of Nuclear Forensics in Illicit Trafficking of Nuclear and other Radioactive Materials
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
J02001CRP
1289Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
29 August 2012Description
Illicit trafficking of nuclear material and other radioactive material has been an issue of concern since the first seizures in the early 1990's. Application of nuclear forensics test and analysis technique can assist in the identification of the source of nuclear and other radioactive material, in determining the point-of-origin and routes of transit of such material, contribute to the prosecution of those responsible and prevent future theft and illicit trafficking. The CRP has the objective to strengthen the capability of Member States to categorize and characterize seized items while preserving forensics evidence and to utilize the nuclear forensics techniques. It should provide research and development results for improved procedures and techniques for: 1) categorization of seized material at site; 2) preservation of evidences and guidelines and techniques for transportation of evidences; 3) characterization and nuclear forensics investigations; 4) nuclear forensics interpretation; and 5) providing nuclear forensics support to the requesting IAEA Member States.
Objectives
The objective of the CRP is to combat illicit trafficking of nuclear or other radioactive material through improved procedures and techniques for nuclear forensics categorization and characterization of seized material, to develop techniques to preserve forensics evidence, optimize nuclear forensics analysis, and to provide nuclear forensics support to requesting States. The goal was to conduct nuclear forensic research in nuclear forensics in three broad areas: i) instrumentation and field work / sample collection, ii) laboratory methods / procedures and techniques, and iii) modeling and interpretation. The CRP demonstrated the importance and broad application of destructive and nondestructive analytical procedures, development of priority data characteristics (i.e., signatures), radioactive source reconstruction, information technology, and evidence integrity studies necessary for States to conduct a robust nuclear forensics examination as well as to build confidence using these capabilities as part of preventive and response measures to a nuclear security event.
Specific objectives
This Coordinated Research Project seeks to improve nuclear forensics technical procedures to combat illicit trafficking of nuclear or other radioactive materials through state-of-the-art techniques for categorization and characterization of seized material, enhanced techniques for preservation of nuclear forensics evidence, robust nuclear forensics analytical procedures, and technical support to requesting States. Seven agreements and contracts were awarded that address integrity of nuclear forensics evidence, development of integrated nuclear forensic laboratory networks, a means to identify the extent of contamination at a radiological crime scene, identification of nuclear forensics signatures across the nuclear fuel cycle, application of radiation detection to nuclear forensics, and a centralized information-technology based system to deter illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material.
The following results are expected from the CRP:
Improved capabilities for categorization of nuclear and other radioactive material
Improved procedures and techniques for preservation of evidence
Improved procedures, guidelines, and techniques for transportation of evidence
Improved procedures and techniques for forensic investigation
Improved procedures and guidelines for nuclear forensics interpretation and
Improved procedures for providing nuclear forensics support to requesting IAEA Member States.
Impact
The CRP was vitally important for the IAEA to promote international cooperation in nuclear forensics as well as provide a scientific forum for practitioners to come together to share experience and develop common technical solution in this emerging scientific discipline. The CRP advanced both IAEA and Member State best practice in nuclear forensics. The IAEA benefitted from assembling a team of investigators to advance the science of nuclear forensics that helped in the production of relevant technical guidance to Member States. The CRP also served as a mechanism for the IAEA to develop a peer-reviewed scientific approach to a nuclear forensics investigation that was essential in developing subsequent assistance to Member States in the areas of training, the development of a national nuclear forensics library, core nuclear forensic capabilities, and assistance - upon request - in the conduct of a nuclear forensics examination. Because each reported case of nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control is different with implications for both national law enforcement as well as the effectiveness of nuclear security regime, the Member States benefitted from the opportunity to exchange scientific information and develop scientific collaborations promoting national and regional approaches to nuclear forensics applied to proven measures and capabilities to combat illicit trafficking.
Relevance
Nuclear forensics is a key component of the Office of Nuclear Security’s 2010 – 2013 Nuclear Security Plan as well as recognized by the IAEA General Conference from 2004 to the present. Notably the IAEA’s program in nuclear forensics was included in the work plan from the 2010 and 2012 Nuclear Security Summits where States were encouraged to work together and with the IAEA to establish nuclear forensic capabilities. The ability of the nuclear forensics discipline to determine the source, history, and origin of nuclear materials outside of regulatory control is a key component of the development of national response plans that enable Member States to address nuclear terrorism and proliferation concerns. The CRP allows States to develop confidence in nuclear forensics procedures through improved nationally directed technical procedures as well as to collaborate with an international community of technical experts. All Member States need to be oriented to nuclear forensics since seizures of nuclear and other radioactive materials - including fissile materials - continue to reported to the IAEA's Illicit Trafficking Database. This CRP is targeted to all Member States to bolster situational awareness of the threat posed by illicit trafficking radioactive materials and improve response through the application of innovative and effective nuclear forensics capabilities as part of a nuclear security infrastructure.