Luminescence Analysis for Radiological and Nuclear Forensic Application

This paper briefly discusses recombination luminescence and its use in forensic radiation dosimetry. Recombination luminescence techniques offer a new capability for radiological forensic analysis of sites and vehicles previously cleared of isotopic contamination, enabling the determination of the prior presence of radioactive materials. This key ability, to provide radiation exposure data after the ionising radiation sources and radioisotopes have been removed, gives luminescence a unique applicability in scenarios where it is not possible to obtain radiation dose data by any other means. Three principal areas of application to National Security and Defence have been identified: 1. Forensic Analysis of sites and vehicles to confirm prior containment of radiological materials, i.e. “dirty bomb” transportation, storage and assembly sites, 2. Support to International Nuclear Weapons Inspection initiatives, for identification of clandestine nuclear programs in now isotopically-cleansed facilities such as buildings, bunkers and other localities, and 3. Retrospective Population Dosimetry - quantification of absorbed dose to the population in the recovery phase after a dirty bomb or nuclear accident.