Fallout: The Challenges Confronting Nuclear Forensic Science

Dr. Mathew Snow
Idaho National Laboratory

In the event of a nuclear detonation on United States soil, specially trained forensic scientists must race against time to sift through the debris and find critical evidence to answer questions such as “Where did it come from?” “Who did it?” “How did it get here?” and “Is there another one?” Nuclear Forensic Scientist Dr. Mathew Snow from Idaho National Laboratory will present many of the challenges that forensic scientists face, along with general descriptions of the techniques utilized to provide decision makers with the information needed to answer these questions. The presentation will also discuss research that is being performed by Idaho National Laboratory, in partnership with the Idaho Accelerator Center and other laboratories across the United States, to improve nuclear forensic science, specifically in the areas of advances in rapid chemical separations and isotope production.