Forensic applications of isotope ratio mass spectrometry—A review

Research Front Essay: Forensic Chemistry

“…[13] Finally, Niamh Nic Daeid and colleagues from the Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Strathdyde discuss the use of IRMS for forensic uses. [14] The reader is also referred to an earlier review by Benson et al [15] In conclusion, the forensic world provides almost untapped opportunities to apply chemistry in a practical and useful way. The best outcomes will be achieved where the right people with the best technologies are brought together and by breaking traditional siloed thinking.…”

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for analyses of organic compounds and biomarkers as tracers for geological, environmental, and forensic research

“…The key role of a forensic scientist is to assist in determining whether a crime has been committed, and if so, assist in the identification of the offender [305]. Detailed studies of the source, transport, and fate of organic compounds in the environment are a major theme in the field of forensic research.…”

“…forensic arson investigation, where the chemical signature of an ignitable liquid was detected in the complex chemical matrix of a fire debris sample [69]. However, it is the GC -IRMS technique (used in conjunction with GC and GC -MS) that has been proposed as a powerful tool to individualize a range of biomakers of interest in environmental forensic studies [e. g., 305,306,310,311]. This technique was applied in the study conducted by Mazeas and Budzinski [312], who analyzed samples of bird feathers and tar ball residues collected from the Atlantic Coast of France following the Erika oil spill.…”

Multiple isotope forensics of nitrate in a wild horse poisoning incident

“…Stable isotope analysis is a useful tool in forensics because it can augment more conventional physical, chemical, and biological analyses [1]. Forensic scientists develop and test hypotheses based on evidence.…”

“…Stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) is an additional technique that can be utilized in this exclusion approach because it can often distinguish between different sources of the same compound. The ability to measure isotope ratios of more than one element in a single molecule (multiple isotope approach) allows refinement of stable isotope fingerprinting, and the more isotopes that can be measured, the more confidence in the identification of characteristics unique to the compound [1,3]. This technique has been employed to identify unique characteristics of a range of materials used in forensic investigations including explosives [4][5][6], drugs [7][8][9], and geochemical evidence [10][11][12].…”