%0 Journal Article
%K forensic science
%K illicit nuclear materials
%K nuclear forensic analyses and characterization
%K nuclear smuggling
%A Patrick M Grant
%A Kenton J Moody
%A Ian D Hutcheon
%A Douglas L Phinney
%A Jeffrey S Haas
%A Alan M Volpe
%A James J Oldani
%A Richard E Whipple
%A Nancy Stoyer
%A Armando Alcaraz
%A John E Andrews
%A Richard E Russo
%A Gregory L Klunder
%A Brian D Andresen
%A Shawn Cantlin
%B Journal of Forensics Science
%D 1998
%G eng
%N 3
%P 680-688
%T Forensic analyses of suspect illicit nuclear material
%V 43
%! J Forensic Sci
%) Laser
%X <p>A small metal sample, alleged to be a substance that could substitute for highly enriched uranium in a nuclear weapon, was subjected to qualitative and quantitative forensic analyses using methods of materials science, radioisotopic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry. The specimen was determined to be moderately pure Sc, likely derived from a uranium refining operation. Although no fissionable species or weaponization signa were detected, the sample did exhibit some unusual properties. These anomalies included lanthanide fractionation, with concentrations of Dy, Ho, and Er elevated by factors greater than 100 over normal levels, and the presence of long, odd-chain fatty acids.</p>