Nuclear Forensic Analysis

by Kenton J. Moody, Ian D. Hutcheon, Patrick M. Grant

This book provides a primary reference source for nuclear forensic science, including the vastly disciplinary nature of the overall endeavor for questioned weapons of mass-destruction specimens. Nothing like this exists even in the classified material. For the first time, the fundamental principles of radioforensic analysis, all pertinent protocols and procedures, computer modeling development, interpretational insights, and attribution considerations are consolidated into one convenient source. The principles and techniques so developed are then demonstrated and discussed in their applications to real-world investigations and casework conducted over the past several years.

512 pages, Hardcover

First published January 31, 2005

Reviews

[Nick Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good book, though i thought there was way more basic background material than one would expect (entire chapters devoted to sophomore undergraduate-level nuclear fuel cycle, radiation physics, reactor design etc). they're sufficiently self-contained to let a total novice understand and process the real material, but probably not to extend it. very solid editing -- errors were fewer and further between than one expects from a first-edition science textbook. nice case studies on the oklo gabon natural reactor, the chernobyl cloud and its inference, the czech busts, and detection of RDS-1 ("Joe 1").

incredibly annoying citations of and references to classified reports (all of S, TS, SCI and Q, from what I could tell). "if you have an American Secret clearance, the following paper is excellent: blahblahblah." which doesn't even fucking make sense because, as anyone who's cleared has had drilled into their head:

clearance + need-to-know -> access

and, as i have personally been assured multiple times by Research Security Division, "i'm really really interested in nuclear weapons and promise i'm not doing enrichment in my garage, wizard of armageddon's honor" does not constitute need-to-know, despite claiming "i'll just die if i don't know optimal implosion symmetries for a Komodo-style primary." of course, pages like this probably don't help my pleadings:
http://nick-black.com/dankwiki/index..... le sigh.

One Fine Day, USDoE...you're gonna want me for your girl.
Shoobie doobie doobie doobie doo wop wop!

anyway, if anyone needs nuclear forensic work done at chemical forensic prices, i'm looking to build up a portfolio, and will accept payment in most any form save bitcoin. sell your gold; buy uranium; let's dance the Peppermint Twist!

--
i will leave open a bet for anyone to take that http://www.princeton.edu/~aglaser/tal... will be the most interesting thing you read today.

[Alexander Temerev · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of nuclear engineering processes relevant to forensics, radiochemistry, and, most importantly, actual investigation cases.