Towards more investigative analytical methods for nuclear safeguards and nuclear security applications

The introduction of strengthened safeguards, the implementation of the additional protocol (INFCIRC 540) and the nuclear material intercepted from illicit trafficking led to a more investigative character of analytical measurements. Consequently, the new sample types triggered the transfer of analytical techniques from the environmental area, from materials science or from the geological or cosmological area to the safeguards community. Environmental analysis and nuclear forensic science are experiencing significant developments and profit from the interdisciplinary approach. The more specific questions will be asked in safeguards with respect to a given sample, the more investigative analytical methodologies will be required and the more thorough, interpretative and comparative evaluation of results needs to be done. Specific applications, possibly in combination with only minute amounts of sample call for methods of high sensitivity, low detection limits, high selectivity and high accuracy. The selection of the method or combination of methods is done according to the sample and according to the information required. Data interpretation is calling for reference information, for comparison samples and for a thorough understanding of the processes taking place throughout the nuclear fuel cycle. (author)