A Review of Nuclear Forensics Activities in Israel

Presenter: E. Elish
Organization: Nuclear Research Center Negev

Nuclear forensic analysis has emerged within the last 25 years, combining two well established disciplines: Nuclear Chemistry and Forensic Science. The role of nuclear forensics is to use scientific knowledge and methods to prevent or solve illegal acts involving radiological or nuclear materials. This presentation reviews the nuclear forensics activities in Israel, including description of the infrastructure established by the government of Israel, capacity building, scientific capabilities, international collaborations and emergency and response preparedness.

The Israel National Nuclear Forensics Laboratory (INNFL) was established by the IAEC in 2011, as a part of a comprehensive program by the government of Israel to coordinate a national response to an act of radiological\nuclear terror.

The nuclear forensics capabilities can be divided to two different categories. The first category is the examination of radioactive and nuclear materials. The second category is the classical forensic examination of radioactively contaminated evidence, such as fingerprints and DNA.

The INNFL is involved in the different scientific fields required for building nuclear forensics capacities: radiological measurements, radiography, analytical chemistry, particle analysis, mass spectrometry and operational issues. The INNFL team is taking part in international organizations and activities intended to promote cooperation, technical capabilities and worldwide nuclear security, such as the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) and the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group (ITWG).