Nuclear Forensics. The Science beyond Fission
Carlos Llorente Aguilera
Abstract
This article aims to offer a study on the origin, development and current state of nuclear forensics. This still new discipline dedicates its efforts to the examination of nuclear and radioactive materials found out of control, employing for this purpose various analysis procedures, all in the course of a police investigation, and its final purpose being able to attribute an origin to these materials. The use of these materials by terrorist organizations is considered by the main actors within the international community as a serious threat to peace and security. In this context, having the appropriate knowledge about the origin of these sensitive materials is a necessary condition so that the most consistent security measures can be adopted that can help prevent their disappearance. All this with the firm purpose of preventing them from being finally employed in the course of a terrorist attack.
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