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Enhancing Nuclear Analytical Techniques to Meet the Needs of Forensic Science
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
F11021CRP
2118Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
13 December 2021Participating Countries
Description
Use of ion and neutron beam techniques for elemental and molecular analysis is well established and such services are available through a great number of laboratories in the IAEA Member States operating ion beam accelerator or research reactor centers. Use of these techniques has also been proven to be extremely powerful in provenancing samples relevant to forensics (other than conventional nuclear forensics dealing mainly with nuclear materials). In this context, possible areas of forensics applications include, but are not limited to, crime investigation, food safety and health-related issues, cultural heritage artefacts and environmental samples. Although these analytical techniques are readily available and routinely applied in research, there is still a considerable gap when it comes to routine forensics applications. The development of these techniques as a recognized application for forensics requires awareness building, coordinated support and, in some cases, accreditation of the involved laboratories. Furthermore, promotion of the capabilities and establishing closer links among the end users, service providers and other stakeholders in this particular area still needs to be enhanced and better organized.
Objectives
To develop and utilize the unique capabilities of nuclear analytical techniques towards recognized needs of forensic sciences that could not be efficiently addressed by other methods; To contribute to capacity building and long term collaboration and networking between the practitioners of nuclear analytical techniques and forensic science stakeholder communities resulting in demonstrable societal gains and enhanced public recognition.
Specific objectives
To meet end-user requirements in the area of forensics by tailoring and enhancing nuclear analytical techniques, with an emphasis of exploiting synergies between ion and neutron beam techniques;
To bridge the gap between the practitioners of nuclear analytical techniques and forensic science stakeholder communities, by facilitating the establishment of long-term cooperation and networking between them;
To facilitate capacity building in application of nuclear analytical techniques to forensic sciences.