NONPROLIFERATION NUCLEAR FORENSICS: THE CURRENT STATE OF THE ART

Nuclear terrorism is one of the most serious security threats facing the world today. Many countries, including the United States, have incorporated nuclear forensic analysis as an important part of their strategy to prevent nuclear terrorism and nuclear smuggling. Nonproliferation nuclear forensics involves the laboratory analysis of seized illicit nuclear materials and the interpretation of data to identify the origin and intended use of the material. Forensic signatures have been developed to improve the confidence with which nuclear forensic scientists can draw conclusions. These signatures are validated and new signatures developed through research and development programs and in round-robin exercises among nuclear forensic laboratories worldwide. Nuclear forensics involves an iterative approach based on the application of a wide array of state of the art analytical techniques. Studies of interdicted materials conducted in cooperation with government or law enforcement agencies provide the ultimate test for analytical protocols developed under controlled laboratory conditions. We illustrate the current state of nuclear forensics using case studies of interdicted nuclear materials.