ABSTRACT
Attribution is the end-product of nuclear forensic analysis — the integration of all relevant technical, analytical, and other (e.g., human intelligence) information about an incident into a consistent and meaningful interpretation, leading to the identification and apprehension of the perpetrators [1-3]. Nuclear attribution integrates all relevant forms of information about a nuclear smuggling incident (or other scenario) into data that can be readily analyzed and interpreted, and that will then form the basis of a confident and meaningful response to the incident. Nuclear attribution uses inputs from many sources, including results from forensic sample analyses; an understanding of radiochemical, geochemical, and environmental signatures; knowledge of the methods of Special Nuclear Material production and nuclear weapons development pathways; and information from intelligence sources and law enforcement agencies. The objective of attribution assessment is to answer policy makers’ information needs, requirements, and questions within the framework of any given incident.
