New CRP: Nuclear Forensics Science to Strengthen the Connection Between the Radiological Crime Scene and the Nuclear Forensics Laboratory (J02020)

The CRP seeks to develop and apply approaches to nuclear forensics science that enable countries to implement nuclear forensics examinations in support of investigations that involve the analysis of the physical, elemental, chemical and isotopic properties of nuclear or other radioactive material, and traditional evidence contaminated with radionuclides collected at radiological crime scene, enabling countries to respond to events involving nuclear or other radioactive material encountered out of regulatory control.

• Development of approaches to potentially bring the laboratory type assessments to the radiological crime scene, including methods to perform fast in-field analysis of collected nuclear or other radioactive material, and traditional forensics evidence contaminated with radionuclides.
• Development of online data transfer and communication systems for direct data sending from the radiological crime scene to the nuclear forensics laboratory.
• Development of requirements for using robots at a radiological crime scene.
• Development of methods to maximize the quality of analytical data collected using in-field instrumentation (for example, gamma spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence and other field-deployable techniques) for categorization and initial characterization of nuclear or other radioactive material at a radiological crime scene.
• Development of approaches to improve the collection and interpretation of physical characterization (morphology) data from nuclear or other radioactive material, and evidence contaminated with radionuclides, using macro- and micro-scale analytical techniques, especially for powder, particulate, and microparticle samples.
• Development of approaches to measure inhomogeneously-distributed nuclear forensics signatures in nuclear or other radioactive material.
• Development of methods to exploit the physical, elemental, chemical, and isotopic properties of non-nuclear evidence associated with nuclear or other radioactive material (for example, packaging and shielding material; paper and other associated documents; the effect of radiation on evidence).
• Development of new nuclear forensics signatures in nuclear or other radioactive material.
• Development of analytical approaches to measure key nuclear forensics signatures (for example, isotope ratios) using sustainable, cost-effective instrumentation.
• Development of analytical approaches in nuclear forensics specifically designed for the collection of data from sealed radioactive sources and other radioactive material commonly used in industrial and medical applications.
• Development of improved statistical and data analysis tools for mathematical inclusion or exclusion when comparing nuclear forensic signature data to data compiled in a national nuclear forensics laboratory.
• Development and adaptation of advanced nuclear technologies applied for nuclear forensics.

The CRP plans to comprise up to twenty participating research groups from Member States. Each team will pursue independent research in nuclear forensics and radiological crime scene management with a specific focus on collaboration between these two fields.

This CRP will seek to award 15 Research Contracts and five Research Agreements. Research organizations interested in joining the CRP must submit their Proposal for Research Contract or Agreement by email, no later than 30 June 2023, to the IAEA’s Research Contracts Administration Section, using the appropriate template on the CRA web portal. The same template can be used for both research contract and technical contract. The IAEA encourages institutes to involve, to the extent possible, women researchers and young researchers in their proposals.

For further information related to this CRP, potential applicants should use the contact form under the CRP page.