Nuclear Forensics:What, Why and How?

Nuclear forensics is a relatively young branch of science in nuclear science and technology. It is a multidisciplinary field with an aim to answer questions regarding any interjected or smuggled material. The main objectives of these studies are to find out the origin/source of the material, date and place of production, age of the material, i.e. the date when it was last chemically processed or purified and if possible, the intended use of the material. Different analytical techniques, both non-destructive and destructive, e.g. gamma spectrometry, mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infra red spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy are employed to obtain the maximum possible information about the radioactive nuclear material. Information about structure and morphology of signatures, isotopic composition of the element, total amount, associated cations and anions, and isotope data on other elements, e.g. sulphur, Sr, Nd and Pb as to arrive at definite conclusions for material attribution.