Nuclear forensic analysis of an unknown uranium ore concentrate sample seized in a criminal investigation in Australia

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dc.contributor.authorKeegan, EAen_AU
dc.contributor.authorKristo, MJen_AU
dc.contributor.authorColella, Men_AU
dc.contributor.authorRobel, Men_AU
dc.contributor.authorWilliams, Ren_AU
dc.contributor.authorLindvall, Ren_AU
dc.contributor.authorEppich, Gen_AU
dc.contributor.authorRoberts, SKen_AU
dc.contributor.authorBorg, Len_AU
dc.contributor.authorGaffney, AMen_AU
dc.contributor.authorPlaue, Jen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWong, HKYen_AU
dc.contributor.authorDavis, Jen_AU
dc.contributor.authorLoi, Een_AU
dc.contributor.authorReinhard, MIen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHutcheon, Ien_AU
dc.date.accessioned2022-09-02T03:26:15Zen_AU
dc.date.available2022-09-02T03:26:15Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2014-07en_AU
dc.date.statistics2022-08-30en_AU
dc.description.abstractEarly in 2009, a state policing agency raided a clandestine drug laboratory in a suburb of a major city in Australia. During the search of the laboratory, a small glass jar labelled “Gamma Source” and containing a green powder was discovered. The powder was radioactive. This paper documents the detailed nuclear forensic analysis undertaken to characterise and identify the material and determine its provenance. Isotopic and impurity content, phase composition, microstructure and other characteristics were measured on the seized sample, and the results were compared with similar material obtained from the suspected source (ore and ore concentrate material). While an extensive range of parameters were measured, the key ‘nuclear forensic signatures’ used to identify the material were the U isotopic composition, Pb and Sr isotope ratios, and the rare earth element pattern. These measurements, in combination with statistical analysis of the elemental and isotopic content of the material against a database of uranium ore concentrates sourced from mines located worldwide, led to the conclusion that the seized material (a uranium ore concentrate of natural isotopic abundance) most likely originated from Mary Kathleen, a former Australian uranium mine. © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.en_AU
dc.description.sponsorshipLawrence Livermore National Laboratory performed this work under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. This work was funded by both the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Controls (NA-242) and Office of Nuclear Verification (NA-243).en_AU
dc.identifier.citationKeegan, E., Kristo, M. J., Colella, M., Robel, M., Williams, R., Lindvall, R., Eppich, G., Roberts, S.K., Borg, L., Gaffney, A., Plaue, J., Wong, H., Davis, J., Loi, E., Reinhard, M. I., & Hutcheon, I. (2014). Nuclear forensic analysis of an unknown uranium ore concentrate sample seized in a criminal investigation in Australia. Forensic Science International, 240, 111-121. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.04.004en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0379-0738en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleForensic Science Internationalen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination111-121en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.04.004en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/13715en_AU
dc.identifier.volume240en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherElsevieren_AU
dc.subjectNuclear forensicsen_AU
dc.subjectCrime detectionen_AU
dc.subjectUranium oresen_AU
dc.subjectStrontiumen_AU
dc.subjectLeaden_AU
dc.subjectRare earthsen_AU
dc.subjectMary Kathleen minesen_AU
dc.subjectAustraliaen_AU
dc.subjectElectron microscopyen_AU
dc.subjectRadioactivityen_AU
dc.titleNuclear forensic analysis of an unknown uranium ore concentrate sample seized in a criminal investigation in Australiaen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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