Nuclear forensics capability building efforts by the Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Nuclear Security at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Kimura, Yoshiki; Matsui, Yoshiki; Tomikawa, Hirofumi

ITWG Nuclear Forensics Update (Internet), (15), p.4 - 7, 2020/06

http://www.nf-itwg.org/newsletters/ITWG_Update_no_15.pdf

Prospective features for integration of nuclear forensics capability in national framework

Tamai, Hiroshi; Okubo, Ayako; Kimura, Yoshiki; Shinohara, Nobuo; Tazaki, Makiko; Shimizu, Ryo; Suda, Kazunori; Tomikawa, Hirofumi

Proceedings of INMM 58th Annual Meeting (Internet), 6 Pages, 2017/07

Nuclear forensics is a technical measure to analyse and collate samples of illegally used nuclear materials, etc., to clarify their origins, routes, etc. and contribute to criminal identifications. Close collaboration with police and judicial organizations is essential. The national response framework is being built up with international cooperation. Discussions on promoting technical capability and regional cooperation are presented.

Technical/institutional prerequisite for nuclear forensics response framework

Tamai, Hiroshi; Okubo, Ayako; Kimura, Yoshiki; Kokaji, Lisa; Shinohara, Nobuo; Tomikawa, Hirofumi

Dai-37-Kai Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nihon Shibu Nenji Taikai Rombunshu (CD-ROM), 8 Pages, 2017/02

Nuclear Forensics capability has been developed under the international collaborations. For its effective function, technical development in analysis of seized nuclear materials as well as the institutional development in comprehensive response framework are required under individual national responsibility. In order to keep the "chain of custody" in the proper operation of sample collection at the event scene, radiological analysis at the laboratory, storage of the samples, and further inspection and trial, close cooperation and information sharing between relevant organisations are essential. IAEA issues the Implementing Guide to provide the model action plan and assists individual national development. International cooperation for the technical improvement and awareness cultivation is promoted. Examples in such national developments will be introduced and prospective technical/institutional prerequisite for nuclear forensics response framework will be studied.

Analysis of rare earth elemental pattern in U-bearing samples with laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for nuclear forensics

Asai, Shiho; Limbeck, A.*

no journal, , 

no abstracts in English

Age-dating of single particle of uranium standard material for nuclear forensics and safeguards

Okubo, Ayako; Esaka, Fumitaka; Magara, Masaaki; Shinohara, Nobuo

no journal, , 

To elucidate the final purification date of uranium material namely age-dating is important subject on nuclear forensic analysis. Age-dating of uranium using U-Th nuclide pair was established in the field of geochemical science, and has been applied for nuclear forensics. Recently, safeguard analysis also demand age-dating of uranium materials. In order to measure a small amount of Th by ICP-MS, anion exchange column separation is commonly conducted to eliminate U tailing effect. However, column separation step could raise procedural blank of Th. In contrast, TIMS can separately ionize U and Th in filament heating step using the difference of optical ionization temperature of these elements. We developed analytical method for age-dating of single particle uranium material by TIMS.

Nuclear forensics and radiochemistry

Shinohara, Nobuo; Kimura, Yoshiki; Okubo, Ayako

no journal, , 

Nuclear forensics is the analysis of intercepted illicit nuclear or radioactive material and any associated material to provide evidence for nuclear attribution by determining origin, history, transit routes and purpose involving such material. Because the nuclear forensics methodologies provide hints of the origin of the nuclear materials used in illegal dealings or nuclear terrorism, it contributes to identify and indict offenders, hence to enhance deterrent effect against such terrorism. In the 59th Symposium on Radiochemistry, the results of research and development of fundamental nuclear forensics technologies (analysis of isotopic composition, impurity analysis, age dating of nuclear material, particle shape analysis by electron microscope, and nuclear forensics library) performed in Japan Atomic Energy Agency are reported. Japan's capability and the role of radiochemistry on nuclear forensics are also discussed in the Symposium.

Readiness for nuclear terrorism; Nuclear forensics framework in advanced nations

Tamai, Hiroshi; Kimura, Yoshiki; Okubo, Ayako; Shinohara, Nobuo; Tomikawa, Hirofumi

no journal, , 

Nuclear forensics is effective measure for strengthening nuclear security through the analysis of origin and characteristics of nuclear materials or radio-isotopes collected at the crime scene inspections. In the development of nuclear forensics laboratory/library, "Chain of Custody" should be kept in mind on the view point of juridical process. Each nation should develop own national response plan to stipulate the framework for integrated nuclear forensics activities. Good practices for stipulating national frameworks for nuclear forensics are investigated in advancing nations such as US, EU and Canada. Issues and measures are proposed aiming at improving its framework.

Study on discrimination methodology for material attribution in nuclear forensics, 4; Study and challenges on material discrimination of natural uranium materials

Kimura, Yoshiki; Shinohara, Nobuo; Matsumoto, Tetsuya*

no journal, , 

no abstracts in English

JAEA's initial efforts on buildup of nuclear forensics capability in Asian countries

Tomikawa, Hirofumi; Kimura, Yoshiki; Okubo, Ayako

no journal, , 

Development of nuclear security technologies for response on material out of regulatory control event and nuclear forensics activities in Japan

Kimura, Yoshiki; Tsuchiya, Kenichi*; Okubo, Ayako*; Tanabe, Kosuke*; Kakuda, Hidetoshi*; Akiba, Norimitsu*; Tomikawa, Hirofumi

no journal, ,