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Forensic stable isotope signatures: comparing, geo-locating, detecting linkage.

Meier?Augenstein, Wolfram

Authors

Wolfram Meier?Augenstein



Abstract

Stable isotope signatures or profiles of physical evidence such as illicit drugs,explosives or human tissue provide information on source, origin, even sample his-tory not obtainable by traditionally applied analytical techniques of forensic chemistry. The discriminatory power, calculated as random match probability, of multivariate stable isotope signatures able to distinguish two cocaine samples from different regions in Colombia can range from one in tens of thousands to one in several million if based on the stable isotope abundances of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen or carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen, respectively. Stable isotope signatures of physical evidence have therefore at the very least great potential to provide invaluable forensic intelligence for intelligence led policing. They may even be of great evidentiary value, especially if corroborated by results from independent analytical techniques. This review aims to offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of forensic stable isotope analysis by discussing the various levels of information stable isotope signatures can provide. For reasons easily appreciated,only a select few instances of its application to criminal investigations have been reported in scientific journals thus far. The various applications of this technique presented in this review are therefore predominantly taken from peer-reviewed work published in scientific books and journals.

Citation

MEIER-AUGENSTEIN, W. 2019. Forensic stable isotope signatures: comparing, geo-locating, detecting linkage. Wiley interdisciplinary reviews: forensic science [online],1(5), article ID e1339. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/wfs2.1339

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 18, 2019
Online Publication Date May 8, 2019
Publication Date Oct 31, 2019
Deposit Date May 9, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Forensic Science
Electronic ISSN 2573-9468
Publisher Wiley-VCH Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 1
Issue 5
Article Number e1339
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/wfs2.1339
Keywords Forensic chemistry; Forensic intelligence; Isotope ratio mass spectometry; Stable isotope signatures; Stable isotopes
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/241750

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