Patent ID: 7408161

Claim:
A method for obtaining information on radioactive material associated with a body of material, the method comprising: providing an apparatus including a first type detector and a housing; introducing a body of material to an investigating location by the apparatus; detecting emissions from the radioactive material associated with the body of material, over a period of time, using the first type detector, the first type detector generating first type detector signals; processing the first type detector signals to give the information on the radioactive material associated with the body of material, wherein where the information is that the quantity of radioactive material is at or above a first threshold and below a second higher threshold, the body of material is to be removed to a second type of location and where the information is that the quantity of radioactive material is above a second threshold, the body of material is to be removed to a third type of location; and wherein, the housing encloses the first type detector, the housing includes a non-metallic portion between the first type detector and that part of the investigating location within the field of view of the first type detector, the housing encloses a first type detector environment and the first type detector environment is thermostatically controlled.