Specialists are applying more sophisticated tools - built around the science of "nuclear forensics" - to track and combat illicit nuclear trafficking and the threat of nuclear terrorism, based on reports at the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) 2008 in Barcelona, Spain, this week.
"Illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials and the threat of nuclear terrorism are reasons for serious concern," said Gabriele Tamborini of the European Commission´s Joint Research Centre Institute for Transuranium Elements (JRC-ITU). He spoke at a conference session dedicated to the work of the world´s "atomic detectives", a popular name for nuclear forensic specialists.
"Nuclear forensics may provide information on the history, the intended use and possibly on the origin of nuclear material. This scientific discipline is at the interface between physical science, prosecution, non-proliferation and counter terrorism," he added. Tools and tactics that enable teams of atom detectives to do their job have changed profoundly over the last few years.
"We have moved from traditional safeguards - which took shape in the 1970s and was mainly made up of nuclear material accountancy and independent verification processes - to today´s strengthened safeguards which also include the analysis of environmental samples," Mr. Tamborini said.
He noted that the IAEA recently launched a development programme for advanced sensing technologies in which the JRC-ITU is participating.
The IAEA´s Diane Fischer, a senior Safeguards analyst, addressed the tools used to detect undeclared nuclear activities, notably environmental sampling techniques. "Today we can say that environmental sampling is key to nuclear forensics," she said. The role of intelligence and international cooperation, however, was also emphasized by the experts taking part in the panel.
Nuclear forensics clearly benefits from reference data and cooperation. For example, the Nuclear Smuggling International Trafficking Working Group (ITWG) was formed in 1995 as an international body to address trafficking and proliferation risks after the collapse of the Soviet Union. "We aim to advance the science of nuclear forensics through international cooperation," said Klaus Mayer of JRC-ITU and ITGW.