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hijacked near Mexico City. The The future promises advances in analytical
device, which had been removed from techniques, digital databases, and rapid-
a hospital for disposal, posed a response technologies that will make forensic
serious radiological hazard if misused investigations even more accurate and
or dismantled. efficient. However, the effectiveness of these
tools will continue to rely on strong
When authorities recovered the truck collaboration between scientists,
days later, the protective shielding policymakers, and law enforcement agencies.
around the device had been removed,
and the source was found abandoned In essence, nuclear forensics is more than a
in a nearby field. This raised alarm technical discipline; it is a shield against
about the potential for ‘radioactive nuclear insecurity and a bridge toward a
exposure’ and even the possibility of safer future. Its growth reflects humanity’s
its use in a “dirty bomb.” collective determination to ensure that
dangerous materials never fall into the
Forensic teams conducted a detailed wrong hands.
analysis of the material, confirming it
was intact cobalt-60 from the medical
device and that none had entered the References
illicit market. The analysis also
enabled authorities to rule out Mayer, K., Wallenius, M., & Ray, I.
intentional diversion and to reassure (2005). Nuclear forensics—A
the public that the incident, though methodology providing clues on the
dangerous, was not part of a terrorist origin of illicitly trafficked nuclear
plot. materials. The Analyst, 130(4), 433–441.
https://doi.org/10.1039/B500430J
This case showcased nuclear forensics Kristo, M. J., & Tumey, S. J. (2013). The
as more than a security tool—it was state of nuclear forensics. The Analyst,
also essential in public safety, crisis 138(12), 3202–3218.
communication, and emergency https://doi.org/10.1039/c3an00357a
response management (Mayer, Wallenius, M., Mayer, K., & Ray, I.
Wallenius, & Varga, 2011). (2003). Nuclear forensics: a
methodology providing clues on the
origin of illicitly trafficked nuclear
materials. Analytical Chemistry, 75(16),
3671–3676.
https://doi.org/10.1021/ac034163i
