Nuclear Forensics in Support of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Its Amendment

Nuclear forensic science is a growing discipline that supports nuclear material security, associated international conventions, and national efforts to implement obligations in the conventions. According to Article 5 of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material as amended (CPPNM/A), signatories commit to returning stolen or missing nuclear material to its owner. While dozens of instances of nuclear and other radioactive (R/N) material outside regulatory control (MORC) are reported to the IAEA each year, there is not a widely accepted process for returning MORC to its owner/appropriate control. Nuclear forensics examination of R/N materials found outside of regulatory control can identify signatures, such as physical measurements and enrichment levels, which help assess material provenance. National Nuclear Forensics Libraries (NNFLs), or similar assemblies of R/N material information and associated expertise, are also valuable tools for comparing nuclear forensics data from R/N material found out of regulatory control against the country's national holdings. Finally, for R/N material that is found by one country but belongs to another, queries between NNFLs also help to identify ownership. The paper discusses the role of nuclear forensic categorization and characterization, NNFLs and queries between NNFLs in implementing the Amended CPPNM, as well as associated best practices. In addition, the paper highlights how these nuclear forensic techniques, tools, and practices help address threats posed by MORC and strengthen nuclear material security. (author)