Illicit trafficking in Nuclear and Other radioactive Materials

This article addresses some entrenched myths concerning illicit trafficking in nuclear and other connected radioactive materials. This constitutes threats of nuclear weapons proliferation, as well as nuclear and radiological terrorism. The insufficient reliability and accuracy of databases may lead to incidents of illicit trafficking. Arguments are partially presented, where the problem is derived from the dubious definition given to the term 'illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials' in IAEA documents. Also, the domination of a regulatory approach to this term definition, as well as, data reporting and processing procedures. Some measures are proposed to improve analytical efforts to minimize deficiencies in this field. (author)