IAEA CRP F11021

Use of ion and neutron beam techniques for elemental and molecular analysis is well established and such services are available through a great number of laboratories in the IAEA Member States operating ion beam accelerator or research reactor centers. Use of these techniques has also been proven to be extremely powerful in provenancing samples relevant to forensics (other than conventional nuclear forensics dealing mainly with nuclear materials). In this context, possible areas of forensics applications include, but are not limited to, crime investigation, food safety and health-related issues, cultural heritage artefacts and environmental samples. Although these analytical techniques are readily available and routinely applied in research, there is still a considerable gap when it comes to routine forensics applications. The development of these techniques as a recognized application for forensics requires awareness building, coordinated support and, in some cases, accreditation of the involved laboratories. Furthermore, promotion of the capabilities and establishing closer links among the end users, service providers and other stakeholders in this particular area still needs to be enhanced and better organized.