Applying Nuclear Forensic Science to Respond to a Nuclear Security Event
Closed for Proposals
Project Type
Coordinated Research ProjectProject Code
J02013
CRP
2218
Approved Date
6 March 2018Project Status
ClosedStart Date
25 January 2019Expected End Date
30 June 2023Completed Date
27 November 2025Participating Countries
Australia, China, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Kenya, Malaysia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Thailand, South AfricaDescription
Nuclear and radioactive material out of regulatory control continues to be officially reported by participating States to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB). From 1993 to the end of 2016, 3068 incidents have been transmitted to the Agency’s ITDB; approximately 100 to 150 incidents are reported annually. Nuclear forensic science?is increasingly used by States to respond to nuclear security events in support of a prosecution of those responsible for these unauthorized acts as well as support to nuclear security vulnerability assessments. Successful nuclear forensic examinations are predicated by strong links between nuclear science laboratory measurements and meeting the needs of law enforcement for the successful prosecution of nuclear security events. While past coordinated research focused on development of an array of techniques and methods for categorization, characterization and interpretation of this data, States will benefit from better implementation of validated procedures and methods consistent with the requirements of a successful criminal prosecution in the courtroom. This research will yield enhanced methods to document and collect evidence, timely measures to identify nuclear and other radioactive materials that pose a nuclear security threat, improved processing of traditional forensics evidence contaminated with radionuclides, use of standard reference materials to improve quantitation of results, more sensitive techniques to measure small samples and particles, and better understanding and utilization of nuclear techniques by law enforcement and court officials. Taken together, the goal of this Coordinated Research Project (CRP) is to improve the implementation of nuclear forensic science?in the context of national laws, as well as international legal instruments, that criminalize unauthorized acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control.
Objectives
The CRP seeks to promote the implementation of nuclear forensic science?consistent with national laws and international legal instruments and in particular link nuclear science with investigative requirements.
Specific Objectives
Studies to exploit digital evidence taken from radiologically contaminated devices.
Using enhanced gamma ray spectrometry methods to increase the speed, accuracy and precision of capabilities for nuclear forensic science categorization and characterization.
Use of digital technologies for centralized registration and cataloguing of evidence collected at a nuclear security event, establishment of a chain of custody, development of evidence collection plans, and dissemination of categorization results.
Use of small sample techniques (electron and ion microbeam as well as other) to limit complicated bulk sample digestions in the laboratory.
Development of enhanced measures for recovery of traditional forensics (DNA, latent fingerprints, dust, fibres, toolmarks) at a radiological crime scene through field based kits and portable technologies as well as development of approaches in clinical forensic medicine and forensic pathology bearing on radiation exposure as part of a nuclear forensics examination.
Enhanced measures to screen packages and heterogeneous evidence for radionuclides to protect on-scene responders and expedite evidence recovery and analytical planning.
Ensure that results of a nuclear forensics examination can support the prosecution of criminal offenses involving smuggled nuclear and other radioactive material.
Studies in the context of nuclear forensic science (to include identification of trace impurities) of sealed radioactive sources used in industry and medicine (e.g. 60Co, 137Cs and others). Nuclear forensic analyses of americium and plutonium sources (for example, those used in ionizing smoke detectors).
Impact
The Coordinated Research Project J02013 had a significant and measurable impact on the global development and implementation of nuclear forensic science. Participating Member States advanced analytical capabilities across the full nuclear forensic examination chain, including enhanced gamma-ray spectrometry, micro-analytical techniques, radiological screening, radiochronometry, and sealed-source characterization. The outputs enabled laboratories to perform faster, more accurate, and prosecution-ready categorization and characterization of nuclear and other radioactive materials.
A key impact of the CRP lies in the creation of a globally mapped landscape of nuclear forensic capabilities, covering field instrumentation, laboratory infrastructure, analytical workflows, and conventional forensic integration. This mapping now supports more effective international assistance by the IAEA. The CRP also strengthened national legal and operational frameworks, with countries such as South Africa, Romania, Malaysia, and Vietnam developing or refining national nuclear forensics networks, digital evidence-management systems, traditional forensics integration, and national response structures.
The CRP generated a substantial scientific footprint, including peer-reviewed publications, international conference presentations, and detailed national technical reports. These outputs advanced knowledge on UOC signatures, LIBS/Raman microanalysis, sealed-source forensic indicators, industrial radiography devices, and digital nuclear forensic library systems. Multiple developing States, Kenya, Malaysia, Serbia, Vietnam, South Africa, successfully disseminated their results internationally, demonstrating significant capacity growth and elevating global participation in nuclear forensic science.
Overall, the CRP contributed directly to improved preparedness for nuclear security events, strengthened national and regional capabilities, and expanded the scientific basis for nuclear forensic examinations that support law enforcement and judicial processes.
Relevance
The CRP was highly relevant to global nuclear security priorities, addressing growing Member State needs arising from incidents of nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control. It strengthened States’ abilities to perform reliable, scientifically defensible nuclear forensic examinations aligned with national legislation and international legal instruments criminalizing unauthorized acts involving such materials.
The relevance of the CRP is reflected in its direct support to multiple international frameworks, including IAEA Nuclear Security Series guidance, the technical objectives of the ITWG, and Member State commitments under international conventions and UN Security Council resolutions. By enabling laboratories to apply validated analytical methods, adapt traditional forensic techniques to radiological environments, and implement digital chain-of-custody systems, the CRP enhanced the evidentiary value of nuclear forensic findings in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
The project’s relevance is further seen in its strong focus on capacity building in developing States, ensuring holistic participation from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific. The research needs addressed UOC provenance, sealed-source characterization, micro-analytical techniques, field screening, and integrated nuclear/traditional forensic workflows directly reflect operational challenges reported by Member States. The CRP also provided a technical foundation for future IAEA publications, including a TECDOC ensuring long-term relevance for education, training, and national capacity development.
In summary, the CRP was highly relevant to both current and emerging nuclear security needs, supporting the evolution of nuclear forensic science as a core component of States’ capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear security events.
CRP Publications
Kenya
Conference Paper
2022
Angeyo, H. K., Onkangi, J. N., & Wabwile, J. M. (2022). Using Microphotonic Nuclear Forensics to Mediate Nuclear Security and Nuclear Safety. 2nd African Conference on Fundamental and Applied Physics, Marrakesh, Morocco.
Malaysia
Scientific Paper
2019
Laili, Z. (2019). Forensik Nuklear: Penyiasatan dalam Konteks Sekuriti Nuklear. i-Nuklear, Bil. 2
Malaysia
Scientific Paper
2020
Husain, H., Laili, Z., Paulus, W., & Salim, N. A. A. (2020). Development of nuclear forensics capability in Malaysia. Proceedings of ICI2020.
Malaysia
Scientific Paper
2019
Laili, Z., Husain, H., Azman, M. A., & Paulus, W. S. (2019). Role of nuclear forensic signatures in supporting the investigation of the orphan radioactive source. Journal of Nuclear Malaysia.
Serbia
Scientific Paper
2022
Vranicar, A., Nikolov, J., Lazarevic, D., Rikalo, A., Todorovic, N., Arbutina, D., & Travar, M. (2022). Sample matrix influence on the efficiency function modeling for uranium isotopes determination by gamma spectrometry. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 192, 109891.
South Africa
Scientific Paper
2022
Uushona, V., Mokhine, N., Mathuthu, M., Shuro, I., & Kupi, T. G. (2022). Age Estimation of Uranium Ore Mineralization using Lead Isotopic Ratios as a Nuclear Forensic Tool. Journal of Earth Sciences & Environmental Studies, 6(2), 162–168.
Kenya
Scientific Paper
2022
Wabwile, J. M., Angeyo, H. K., & Dehayem-Kamadjiu, A. Exploring Band-Free Raman Microspectrometry Combined with PCA and MCR-ALS for Size-Resolved Forensic Analysis of Uranium in Aerosols. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Malaysia
Conference Paper
2023
Laili, Z., Husin, H., Kamaruddin, A. H. C., Azman, M. A., Paulus, W. S., & Kamarudin, N. (2023). Characterisation of sealed radioactive source for the nuclear forensic purpose. iNuSTEC 2023 Conference, UNITEN, Malaysia.
Kenya
Conference Paper
2022
Angeyo, H. K. (2022). Leveraging Machine Learning Based Microphotonic Nuclear Forensics Capabilities for Integrated Nuclear Safeguards and Security Threat Prevention. IAEA Safeguards Symposium, Vienna.
Kenya
Conference Paper
2022
Onkangi, J. N., Angeyo, H. K., & Wabwile, J. M. (2022). Forensics Detection of Nuclear Materials by Machine Learning Microphotonic Techniques. IAEA Technical Meeting on Nuclear Forensics, Vienna.
Romania
Conference Paper
2022
Stanciu, D. (2022). Implementation of Traditional Forensics Methods and Procedures within the Nuclear Forensics Laboratory of Romania. Technical Meeting on Nuclear Forensics: From National Foundations to Global Impact, IAEA, Vienna, Austria.
Romania
Conference Paper
2022
Berevoianu, A. (2022). Non-Destructive Assay of Industrial Gamma Radiography Devices: Case Study. Technical Meeting on Nuclear Forensics, IAEA, Vienna, Austria.
South Africa
Scientific Paper
2021
Uushona, V., Mokhine, N. D., Mathuthu, M., & Shuro, I. (2021). Analysis of UOC for nuclear forensics using Scanning Electron Microscope. Proceedings of SAIP2021, pp. 85–90.
Romania
Conference Paper
2022
Olaru C. et. al. Romanian Nuclear and Other Radioactive Materials Information System (NRMIS). Presented at the IAEA International Safeguards Symposium, 2022.
Kenya
Scientific Paper
2022
Ondieki, J. O., Mita, C. O., & Kaniu, M. I. (2022). Feasibility of Mapping Radioactive Minerals in High Background Radiation Areas using Remote Sensing Techniques. International Journal of Applied Earth Observations and Geoinformation, 107, 102700.
Malaysia
Scientific Paper
2022
Husain, H., Laili, Z., Kamarudin, N., Paulus, W. S., Kamaruddin, A. H. C., Azman, M. A., & Zin, M. R. M. (2022). Nuclear Forensic Library Management System (MYNFL). Innovation and Creativity 2022, Malaysian Nuclear Agency.
Romania
Conference Paper
2022
Berevoianu, A. (2022). Application of non-destructive analytical techniques for characterization of depleted uranium bearing materials. Annual Scientific Communication Session, Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, Romania.
Kenya
Scientific Paper
2022
Onkangi, J. N., & Angeyo, H. K. Chemometrics Enabled LIBS Method Development for Direct Forensic Analysis of Fission Products in Simulated High Level Nuclear Waste. Journal of Nuclear and Radionuclear Chemistry
Malaysia
Scientific Paper
2019
Husain, H. (2019). Kepakaran Nuklear Malaysia: Pengkategorian dan Pencirian Bahan – Elemen Penting dalam Forensik Nuklear. i-Nuklear, Bil. 2
Kenya
Conference Paper
2022
Angeyo, H. K., Dehayem-Massop, A., & Kaniu, I. M. (2022). Machine Learning Enabled Radiometric and Microphotonic Nuclear Forensic Analysis. 2nd CRP RCM, IAEA, Vienna.