Nuclear Forensic Analysis

This book provides a primary reference source for nuclear forensic science, including the vastly disciplinary nature of the overall endeavor for questioned weapons of mass-destruction specimens. Nothing like this exists even in the classified material. For the first time, the fundamental principles of radioforensic analysis, all pertinent protocols and procedures, computer modeling development, interpretational insights, and attribution considerations are consolidated into one convenient source. The principles and techniques so developed are then demonstrated and discussed in their applications to real-world investigations and casework conducted over the past several years.

Table of Contents:
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