Browsing by Author "Toole, K"

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    ANSTO Nuclear Foresnics Research Facility: method development and applications
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2012-10-16) Wotherspoon, ATL; Hill, DM; Keegan, EA; Evans, T; Blagojevic, N; Loi, E; Toole, K; Griffiths, GJ; Smith, KL; Reinhard, MI
    The IAEA defines nuclear forensic science, commonly shortened to “nuclear forensics” as ‘the scientific analysis of nuclear or other radioactive material, or of other evidence that is contaminated with radioactive material, in the context of legal proceedings, including administrative, civil, criminal or international law’1. In broad terms, the job of the nuclear forensic scientist is to support investigations that involve a nuclear security event. Nuclear forensic examinations will provide information to key questions posed by the investigative authority: What is it? How much is there? Is there any more out there? Is it ours? As an investigation proceeds other questions that may arise are; How old is it? What contaminants are present? Does it pose a threat? Who is responsible for the loss? Where did the material come from? Many of the techniques required to answer these questions are based on environmental radiochemistry. The Nuclear Forensic Research Facility (NFRF) at ANSTO is developing expertise in analysing nuclear and other radioactive material material based upon the precepts of the ‘model action plan’ of the International Technical Working Group for Nuclear Forensics (ITWG) and other best practices. We are also investigating the validity of traditional forensic techniques (like fingerprints and DNA) on evidence contaminated with radioactive material alongside more novel parameters, e.g. the isotopic composition at the ‘bulk’ material and the micro scale using advanced micro-analytical techniques. We are moving towards the integration of a range of radio analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry, electron microscopy and the simulation/modelling of material production signatures, to provide a range of different information streams to assist attribution. With each advance in our technical competencies we enhance our means to ensure the security of nuclear or other radioactive material.
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    The impact of alpha-emitting contamination on the handling and analysis of forensic evidence
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2012-10-16) Evans, T; Toole, K; Brew, DRM; Colella, M
    A nuclear security event, where for example radioactive material is used in a malevolent act or where material is found outside of regulatory control will require an investigation. That investigation may require the collection, handling, and analysis of forensic evidence and hence it is highly likely that some of the physical evidence associated with such an event would have been exposed to radiation and possibly be contaminated with nuclear or other radioactive material. These scenarios present significant challenges to traditional approaches to crime scene investigation and it is well recognised by the international nuclear forensics community for the need to assess the application of existing forensic techniques to radiation-exposed samples and the implementation of procedures for safe and efficient examination of evidence contaminated with radioactive material. Previously, at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s Nuclear Forensics Research Facility the effect of gamma radiation on forensic evidence as well as the impact of decontamination on evidence has been explored. This presentation will report on considerations for handling evidence contaminated with radioactive material and detail the latest developments in evaluating the application of forensic techniques to evidence exposed to, or contaminated with alpha-emitting radionuclides.
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    Nuclear forensics: scientific analysis supporting law enforcement and nuclear security investigations
    (American Chemical Society, 2015-12-24) Keegan, EA; Kristo, MJ; Toole, K; Kips, R; Young, EL
    Nuclear forensic science, or "nuclear forensic", aims to answer questions about nuclear material found outside of regulatory control. In this Feature, we provide a general overview of nuclear forensics, selecting examples of key "nuclear forensic signatures" which have allowed investigators to determine the identity of unknown nuclear material in real investigations. © 2015 American Chemical Society