A method for the inspection of contained flowable materials within containers, such as detecting an explosive liquid in a luggage, and an apparatus for performing the method are described. The method includes the steps of: performing a radiation scan, using X-rays or Gamma rays, of a target item container of contained flowable material in a radiation scanning system to derive a spatially distributed and spectroscopically resolved measured dataset of the intensity of radiation emergent from the target item; considering the spatially distributed and spectroscopically resolved dataset of transmitted radiation intensity to be nominally determined in accordance with a relationship: [O].Math.[]=[] where the operators [] and [] define, respectively, physical parameters describing the liquid and the container and the system response and the operator [O] defines the relationships between the system response and the liquid and container parameters; numerically processing the measured dataset by operator inversion in order to derive a best fit solution of: []=[O].sup.1.Math.[]; and using that derived solution to determine the threat status of the target item.

A radiation source device, a measuring device using the radiation source device, and a method of use of the measuring device are described. The radiation source device has a radiolucent window portion, a shielding portion, a radioactive element, and a fluorescent material. The shielding portion has a window portion cavity and the radiolucent window portion extends across and encompasses the window portion cavity. The radioactive element is positioned within the window portion cavity of the shield portion and emits first photons through the window portion cavity and the radiolucent window portion. The fluorescent material is positioned between the radioactive element and the radiolucent window portion. The fluorescent material receives the first photons from the radioactive element and generates second photons.

A system for assaying an eluate includes a radiation detection device, a fluid handling system, and a connection interface. The radiation detection device includes a collection reservoir, and is adapted to measure a radioactive content of a sample within the collection reservoir. The fluid handling system includes a fluid supply line, a suction line, and a fluid discharge line, each connected to the collection reservoir. The connection interface connects a radionuclide generator to the collection reservoir via the fluid handling system. The fluid handling system is configured to generate a negative pressure within the collection reservoir via the suction line such that an eluate from the radionuclide generator is supplied to the collection reservoir via the fluid supply line.