Modern Advancements in Post-Detonation Nuclear Forensic Analysis

Authors

S. Adam Stratz, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFollow
Jonathan A. Gill, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFollow
John D. Auxier II, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFollow
Howard L. Hall, Institute for Nuclear SecurityFollow

Abstract

Deterring nuclear terrorism is a critical national asset to support the preclusion of non-state actors from initiating a nuclear attack on the United States. Successful attribution of a detonated nuclear weapon allows for timely responsive measures that prove essential in the period following a nuclear event. In conjunction with intelligence and law enforcement evidence, the technical nuclear forensics (TNF) post-detonation community supports this mission through the development and advancement of expertise to characterize weapon debris through a rapid, accurate, and detailed approach. Though the TNF field is young, numerous strides have been made in recent years toward a more robust characterization capability. This work presents modern advancements in post-detonation expertise over the last ten years and demonstrates the need for continued extensive research in this field.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7290/v7w37t8h

Recommended Citation

Stratz, S. Adam; Gill, Jonathan A.; Auxier, John D. II; and Hall, Howard L. (2016) "Modern Advancements in Post-Detonation Nuclear Forensic Analysis," International Journal of Nuclear Security: Vol. 2: No. 3, Article 6.
https://doi.org/10.7290/v7w37t8h
Available at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/ijns/vol2/iss3/6