Combating Nuclear Smuggling

The DHS is responsible for addressing the threat of nuclear smuggling. Radiation detection portal monitors are part of the U.S. defense against such threats. Congress required that funds for new advanced spectroscopic portal (ASP) monitors could not be spent until the Sec. of DHS certified that these machines represented a significant increase in operational effectiveness over currently deployed monitors. DHS conducted tests on ASPs to identify areas in which they needed improvement. This report assesses: (1) the degree to which the test report accurately depicts the test results; and (2) the appropriateness of using the test results to determine whether ASPs represent a significant improvement over current radiation detection equipment. Illus.