Page 69 - AEQUITAS VOL 2

61

History And
Important

Evolution
Principle And

Although nuclear forensics is often
Techniques
associated with modern counter terrorism,

its origins go back to the Cold War era, in
Nuclear forensics serves as a scientific
the late 1940s, when scientists first developed
backbone for nuclear security and
techniques to track and identify nuclear
non-proliferation, combining
materials and measure isotope composition
advanced analytical techniques with
and decay chronology- tools initially
investigative protocols to identify the
designed for weapon development but were
source, history, and potential use of
later proven essential for forensic
nuclear or radioactive materials. Its
investigations.
scope extends from deterring nuclear
crimes to aiding prosecution and
In the 1950s and 1960s, as nuclear power
supporting global cooperation.
spread for both civilian energy and military
purposes, so did the concerns over nuclear
IMPORTANCE AND
smuggling and illicit trafficking grow.
APPLICATIONS
Nations began to recognize the importance

of being able to trace the origin of nuclear
Nuclear forensics enables accurate
materials, not only for national security but
tracing of material origins through
also for international accountability.
isotopic, chemical, and physical
signatures, often combined with
By the late 20th century, nuclear forensics
traditional forensic evidence. This
had evolved into a structured discipline,
capability underpins credible
using advanced tools like mass spectrometry
attribution of illicit acts, acting as a
and radiochemical analysis to fingerprint
powerful deterrent by signalling
materials. This enabled the identification of
accountability for misuse of nuclear
production methods, reactor types, and
materials. Scientific insights from
origins. Post-Cold War and especially after
forensic analysis inform strategic
9/11, global collaborations intensified, with
responses to trafficking or
the IAEA standardizing methods and
unauthorized use, guiding policy
establishing rapid-response capabilities to
decisions and strengthening physical
combat nuclear terrorism and illicit
safeguards.
trafficking worldwide.

Bodies like the IAEA provide states
with technical assistance, training,