Retrospective dosimetry with EPR and OSL at McMaster University

Retrospective dosimetry may be of use following a radiological incident, in order to determine whether individuals may have been exposed. We briefly review the fundamentals of two primary techniques for retrospective biophysical dosimetry: electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL). Our facility at McMaster University has the capability to perform both EPR and OSL dosimetry, which provides us with the flexibility to study so-called 'fortuitous' dosimeters with the most appropriate technique. In this paper, we review our research of the past decade, during which we have developed techniques for the measurement of absorbed dose in human, rodent, and canine dental enamel, synthetic quartz oscillators, and gypsum wallboard.