Recent Activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency to Advance Nuclear Forensics

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recognizes nuclear forensics as an important capability to help Member States deter, detect, and respond to the threat of nuclear and radioactive materials out of regulatory control. Starting with initial guidance provided to Member States in nuclear forensics support including the process and stages of data collection, analysis, and informed response, the IAEA has now positioned nuclear forensics as a key part of it nuclear security plan. The current program in international nuclear forensics includes robust training to foster response to radiological crime scenes including nuclear forensics, a ‘coordinated research program’ to promote national technical best practice, and an initiative to help states develop national libraries of nuclear forensic samples and data as well as an international directory of this information to allow effective and credible analysis. The training, research, and database elements each reinforce one another by increasing awareness, technical capabilities, and knowledge management of nuclear forensics. Member States benefit from expertise provided by the IAEA; however, of equal value, is the ability for each to shexperience to advance common understanding in the field.