"Probable cause" for maritime Interdictions involving illicit radioactive materials
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Authors
Kizanis, Ioannis.
Subjects
Probable cause
maritime interdictions
nuclear and other radioactive materials
radiation detection and identification
law of the sea
conventional and customary international law
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
NATO Operation Active Endeavour
SUA Convention
War on Terrorism
Belligerent Status
Doctrine of Self-Help
Doctrine of Necessity
Doctrine of Pre-Emptive or Anticipatory Self-Defense
scintillation detectors
gamma/X-ray interactions
spectroscopy
photoelectric absorption
Compton scattering
pair production
detector counting efficiency
Adaptable Radiation Area Monitor (ARAM)
maritime interdictions
nuclear and other radioactive materials
radiation detection and identification
law of the sea
conventional and customary international law
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
NATO Operation Active Endeavour
SUA Convention
War on Terrorism
Belligerent Status
Doctrine of Self-Help
Doctrine of Necessity
Doctrine of Pre-Emptive or Anticipatory Self-Defense
scintillation detectors
gamma/X-ray interactions
spectroscopy
photoelectric absorption
Compton scattering
pair production
detector counting efficiency
Adaptable Radiation Area Monitor (ARAM)
Advisors
Smith, Craig F.
Moltz, James C.
Date of Issue
2008-12
Date
December 2008
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Existing international frameworks that govern maritime interdiction entitle the boarding of a vessel in international waters only if justified by reasonable grounds to suspect that the vessel is engaged in illicit activity, a legal concept similar to the U.S. principle of "probable cause." Given recent advances in radiation detection technology, this thesis considers how this concept could be strengthened by the use of detectors for maritime interdiction of illicit radioactive materials, a problem that spans both policy and technical issues. To address this problem, the thesis incorporates analysis of both legal and technical factors related to detection of illicit radioactive materials. It includes a comprehensive compilation and examination of the legal and institutional issues related to probable cause determination, as well as technical evaluations of a state-of-the-art remote radiation detection system known as the Adaptable Radiation Area Monitor (ARAM) to determine its suitability in supporting probable cause determinations in a maritime environment. Based on these technical evaluations and an understanding of the legal and institutional issues related to probable cause determination, I conclude that radiation detection technology offers great promise in promoting effective interdiction operations that will improve safety and reduce the risk of illicit transport of radioactive materials.
Type
Thesis
Description
MBA Professional Report
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xiv, 111 p. ; 28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined
in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in the
public domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United States
Code, Section 105, is not copyrighted in the U.S.