The impact of alpha-emitting contamination on the handling and analysis of forensic evidence
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Date
2012-10-16
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Publisher
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Alpha particles, Contamination, Nuclear security, Nuclear forensics, Safeguards, ANSTO, Gamma radiation, Radioactivity
Citation
Evans, T., Toole, K., Brew, D., & Colella, M. (2012). The impact of alpha-emitting contamination on the handling and analysis of forensic evidence. Paper presented to the 12th South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference (SPERA 2012), Sydney, Australia, Tuesday 16 October – Friday 19 October 2012. Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. (pp. 53).