Dirty bomb: Forensic lab to take lead in fighting nuclear terrorism

In a bid to tackle smuggling and illegal transportation of nuclear weapons and materials, the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (DFSL) in the state has drawn up a comprehensive perspective plan that also aims at taking forensic sciences to a global level with the establishment of a centre for nuclear forensic science.

The plan is expected to take off by 2018-19, but the proposal is pending with the state government. The police department, which controls DFSL, is yet to take up the issue with the government.

The exhausted nuclear-reactor fuel, which is considered extremely radioactive, and various other nuclear materials could be used as part of the radiological dispersal device (RDD) — often referred to as ‘dirty bomb’ in nuclear forensic sciences. This can fall into hands of unscrupulous and anti-national elements.

According to a study by the United Nations, illegal trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material has been an issue of serious concern ever since the seizures of these materials in the early 1990s.

The study revealed that by the end of 2004, member countries had confirmed about 540 cases. Most of the confirmed cases had some criminal dimension, even if they were not for known ‘terrorist’ purpose.

An enhanced control and security of nuclear and other radioactive materials was considered highly necessary since the September 2001 terrorist attacks in the US, the proposal cited.

The proposal also highlighted the handicap on the part of law enforcement agencies when contraband nuclear materials or an intact device transported through scrap from atomic reactors were seized. The proposal also cited nuclear-forensic investigation as a follow-up action after the seizure as developed by IAEA, sources in the home department said.

The proposal also pointed at the inability of advanced countries like the US in identifying that the source of a nuclear weapon used in a terrorist attacks is fragile and eroding, according to a report released in July 2010 by the US National Research Council.

A highly-specialised detective work, known as nuclear attribution, by following the clues is believed to have identified the attacker and the maker of the weapon. Even in the US, security agencies are yet to improve their analytical skills. The absence of skills in the field of forensics will be detrimental to the security of the nation.

The laboratory has also sought a financial outlay of `21.35 crore for the project on the action plan and sequencing techniques adopted and developed by IAEA.

The home department said that Karnataka, with its vast potential for academic avenues both in science and technology, can lead the way in nuclear-forensic sciences expertise in the country as well as to meet global demands in the field.