Nuclear forensics : comprehensive interagency plan needed to address human capital issues /
The detonation of a nuclear weapon or radiological dispersal device (RDD) in the United States or elsewhere would cause decision makers to immediately demand information on the nature of the device, including its design, the materials used to build it, and the materials' source, as well as the...
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| Format: | Government Document eBook |
| Language: | English |
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Washington, DC :
U.S. Govt. Accountability Office,
[2009]
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| Online Access: | https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/LPS114594 |
| Summary: | The detonation of a nuclear weapon or radiological dispersal device (RDD) in the United States or elsewhere would cause decision makers to immediately demand information on the nature of the device, including its design, the materials used to build it, and the materials' source, as well as the identification of the perpetrators. Technical nuclear forensics, the analysis of nuclear or radiological materials that are intercepted or the radioactive debris and prompt output signals (such as gamma rays) produced by a nuclear event, can contribute to the identification of the sources of these materials and the processes used to create them. Nuclear forensic techniques also could potentially be used to determine the origin of nuclear or radiological materials or devices seized prior to their use in a weapon (known as "predetonation" nuclear forensics). The departments of Defense (DOD), Energy (DOE), Homeland Security (DHS), and State (State), as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the intelligence community, would play key roles in a nuclear forensics investigation. In this context, you asked us to assess the (1) challenges the U.S. government faces in developing and maintaining a comprehensive nuclear forensics capability and (2) current and future costs associated with the U.S. government's nuclear forensics efforts. In February 2009, we reported to you on the results of our work in a classified report. This letter summarizes certain aspects of our classified report. |
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| Item Description: | Title from page [1] title screen (GAO, viewed June 2, 2009). "April 30, 2009." "GAO-09-527R." Electronic resource. |
| Physical Description: | 1 online resource (15 pages) |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |