Nuclear Forensic Analysis

Introduction
Nuclear Materials
Nuclear Power and Pu Production
Nuclear Weapons and the Cold War
Nuclear Treaties and Nonproliferation Programs
SNM Disposition
Nuclear Proliferation and Terrorism
Nuclear Smuggling
Forensic Goals

Physical Basis of Nuclear Forensic Science
Background
Types of Radioactive Decay
Rate Laws in Radioactive Decay
Atoms, Binding Energy, and Chart of the Nuclides
Nuclear Structure, Isomerism, and Selection Rules
Nuclear Reactions
Natural Radioactivity
Fission, Barrier Penetration, and Energy Production

Engineering Issues
Natural versus Synthetic Materials
Recovery of Actinides from the Earth
Separation and Enrichment of U Isotopes
Electromagnetic Isotope Separation
Gaseous Diffusion
Thermal Diffusion
Gas Centrifugation
Aerodynamic Enrichment
Laser Isotope Separation
Isotope Enrichment Through Chemical Exchange
Nuclear Reactors, Power, and the Production of Pu and 233U
Recovery and Purification of Heavy Elements from Reactor Products
Heavy-Element Metals and Alloys

Chemistry and Nuclear Forensic Science
Tracers in Inorganic Analysis
Relevant Chemical Properties

Principles of Nuclear Explosive Devices
One-Stage Fission Explosive (Atomic Bomb)
Boosting
Two-Stage Nuclear Explosive (Hydrogen Bomb)
Forensic Analysis of Nuclear-Explosive Debris


Chronometry
Heavy Elements and Fission-Product Chronometers
Granddaughters and Spoof Detection
Detection of Incomplete Fuel Reprocessing

Techniques for Small Signatures
Chemical Separations and Reduction of Background
Radiochemical Milking
Mass Spectrometry and Microanalysis
Radiation Detection
Interaction of Radiation with Matter
Decay Characteristics
Gas-Phase Detectors
Solid-State Detectors
Scintillation Detectors
Empirical Application and Spectra

Collateral Forensic Indicators
Stable Isotopes
Lead
Oxygen
Inorganic Elements
Organic Analyses
High Explosives
Hairs and Fibers
Inks and Papers
Fingerprints
Other

Sample Matrices and Collection
Soil/Sediment Matrices
Vegetation Matrices
Water Matrix
Fauna Matrices
Other Matrices
Collection Tactics

Radiochemical Procedures
Dissolution
Redox
Separations
MS Analysis and Reagent Purity

Inorganic/Isotopic Sample Preparation
Alpha Counting
Beta Counting
Gamma Counting
Inorganic Techniques

Organic Sample Preparation
Extraction
Solid-Phase Microextraction
Derivatization

Extraordinary Sample Issues

Field Collection Kits

NDA Field Radioactivity Detection

Laboratory Analyses
Radiation Counting Systems
Counting Lab
Counter Shielding and Systems
Particle Detection
Chemistry Lab Application
Tritium Analysis
Imaging and Microscopy
Optical Microscopy
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Transmission Electron Microscopy
Electron Microprobe Analysis
X-Ray Microanalysis
Infrared Spectroscopy
Isotope MS
Isotope-Ratio MS
Element MS
MS and Microanalysis
Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry
Capillary Electrophoresis

Inferred Production Estimates
Uranium
Plutonium
SNM Stocks
Analysis

Materials Fingerprinting
Criminalistics Comparisons
Material Compositions
Calculations

Source and Route Attribution
Introduction
Source Attribution Questions
Route Attribution Questions
Forensic Analysis of Interdicted Nuclear Materials
Laboratory Characterization of Nuclear Materials for Source Data
Laboratory Characterization of Nuclear Materials for Route Data
Prioritization of Forensic Tools for Route Attribution
Analytic Techniques for Nuclear Forensic Interrogation
Isotopes
Elemental Composition/Major and Trace Elements
Organic Species
DNA
Physical and Structural Characteristics
Geolocation and Route Attribution: Real-World Examples
Pb-Isotope Fingerprinting
O-Isotope Fingerprinting
Other Isotopic Ratios
Reference Data for Enhanced Interpretation

Forensic Investigation of a Highly Enriched Uranium Sample Interdicted In Bulgaria
Analyses of Uranium Oxide
Analyses of Collateral Evidence
Lead Container
Yellow Wax
Paper Liner and Label
Glass Ampoule
Attribution

Counterforensic Investigation of US Enrichment Plants
Background
Sampling
Radiochemistry
Results
Interpretation
Summary

Nuclear Smuggling Hoax — D-38 Counterweight
Background and Analyses
Results and Discussion

Nuclear Smuggling Hoax — Sc Metal
Background and Analyses
Results and Discussion

Fatal "Cold Fusion" Explosion
Background and Analyses
Results and Discussion
Commentary

Questioned Sample from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
Background and Nondestructive Analysis
Radiochemistry and Results
Discussion
Summary

Index