Enabling Law Enforcement Organisations to Perform Traditional Forensics on Contaminated Evidence Recovered from a Crime Scene Involving the Use of Radiological / Nuclear Materials Outside of Regulatory Control

Any law enforcement investigation resulting from a nuclear security event involving the use of radiological or nuclear material out of regulatory control; will require forensic science examinations. In addition to nuclear forensic analysis of the radiological or nuclear material recovered, there will be the need to perform traditional forensic examinations, such as fingerprints and DNA swabbing. In direct response to this need to perform traditional forensic science examinations on recovered exhibits that are contaminated with radiological or nuclear material, the United Kingdom has constructed the Conventional Forensic Analysis Capability (CFAC) laboratory at the Atomic Weapons Establishment. The CFAC laboratory provides forensic science practitioners with a safe working environment in which they can perform forensic science examinations under the technical guidance and expertise of scientific specialists trained to handle radiological and nuclear materials. (author)