Nuclear Forensics

Nuclear forensics is the scientific analysis of nuclear materials to determine their origin, history, and usage. When a suspicious or unauthorized nuclear substance is found, experts examine its physical and chemical properties—such as isotopic composition, trace elements, and manufacturing signatures—to identify where it came from and how it was produced. This information helps authorities track illegal trafficking, prevent nuclear proliferation, and ensure national security. Essentially, nuclear forensics acts like a fingerprinting process for nuclear materials, providing crucial clues to understand and control their movement and origin.