Brazilian network of laboratories on nuclear forensic science (BNLNFS)

Abstract

The Brazilian Network of Laboratories on Nuclear Forensic Science (BNLNFS) was created in 2007 with support of IAEA’s the Department of Nuclear Security. The main roles of the laboratory are: the development of procedures for characterization of the radioactive or nuclear material in order to determine its production site, production date, intended use, and the route from production site to the crime scene, training and education in nuclear forensics. The network uses a variety of techniques to characterize materials, including nuclear counting, analytical chemistry, radiation measurements, and various radiography techniques. Thus, based on the scientific expertise of IPEN’s nuclear scientists and existing infrastructure The network gathers six laboratories located at Nuclear and Energy Research Institute, São Paulo, IPEN’s Department of Radiological Protection, and has the support of CNEN’s Poços de Caldas Laboratory, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo State Police, São Paulo and Federal Police, Brasília. During the exercises, the associated laboratories have to follow all procedures recommended by IAEA to conduct a nuclear forensic investigation. During the last decade the BNLNF has participated in several international nuclear forensics exercises.