Resolution of recurring loss alarms

Patterns in material control and accounting data may indicate a loss of nuclear material. Inadvertent MC and A system errors, biases, or changes in the rate of holdup accumulation are normally the cause of patterns in MC and A data. This report describes a program for resolving patterns of safeguards significance in MC and A data and provides some examples of the activities. Resolution of patterns in process monitoring data used for MC and A focuses on systematic characteristics of the process and may involve large quantities of data. Resolution consists of localizing the potential causes by detailed analyses and tests, investigating potential causes, and taking corrective actions to prevent recurrence. 30 refs., 31 figs., 4 tabs.