The isotopic and elemental patterns of uranium ore as tools for its provenance determination: A systematic review

Sci Justice. 2025 May;65(3):101252. doi: 10.1016/j.scijus.2025.101252. Epub 2025 Mar 19.

ABSTRACT

This systematic review explores the potential of isotopic and elemental analysis of uranium ore as tools for provenance determination. This capability is vital for effective criminal investigations involving illicit trafficking, environmental contamination, terrorism and nuclear proliferation. A comprehensive literature review was conducted across multiple databases, focusing on studies that utilized isotopic and elemental analysis techniques for uranium origin assessment. The included studies were critically evaluated for methodological rigor. The review found that both isotopic and elemental analysis provides valuable insights into the provenance of uranium ore. Isotopic analysis, in particular, has been established as a powerful tool for tracking the origin of uranium ore. It has potential applications in forensic investigations, nuclear security and safeguards. However, the full potential of elemental patterns remains underutilized. Integrating both techniques could enhance the discriminatory power of provenance assessments. Key challenges, such as limitations in existing databases, analytical techniques and sample contaminations, hinder the definitive determination of uranium origin. To address these challenges, the review emphasizes the need for collaboration between researchers and law enforcement agencies. This collaboration should focus on expanding geochemical databases, developing standardized methodologies, and fostering interdisciplinary cooperation. By overcoming these limitations, the forensic community can significantly improve its ability to investigate uranium-related crimes, contributing to national security, safeguards and environmental protection.

PMID:40379420 | DOI:10.1016/j.scijus.2025.101252