Stable Isotope Forensics : An Introduction to the Forensic Application of Stable Isotope Analysis

by Wolfram Meier-Augenstein (Queen's University Belfast )

• ISBN13: 9780470688779
• ISBN10: 0470688777
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2010-03-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

This book provides the first comprehensive, overview and guide to forensic isotope analysis, an exciting new application of stable isotope analytical techniques. Topics are introduced using examples and real-life case studies such as food quality control where isotope analysis has already had a major impact, in terms of consumer protection, These examples illustrate the underlying principles of isotope profiling or fingerprinting. A section comprising actual criminal case work is used to build a bridge between the introduction and the technical section to encourage students to engage with this novel departure for analytical sciences while at the same time providing hands-on examples for the experienced researcher and forensic practitioner to match problems and success stories encountered with the topics discussed in the technical section.What little information is available on the subject in book form so far, has been published as individual chapters in books dealing either with mass spectrometry, forensic geoscience or environmental forensics, this is the first book to focus on the entire spectrum of forensic isotope analysis and will be an invaluable reference to both researchers in the field and forensic practitioners.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword: Developments in Forensic Science

Foreword

List of Figures

List of Tables

Introduction: Stable Isotope 'Fingerprinting' or Chemical 'DNA': A New Dawn for Forensic Chemistry?

How It Works

What are Stable Isotopes?

Natural Abundance Variation of Stable Isotopes

Chemically Identical and Yet Not the Same

Isotope Effects, Mass Discrimination and Isotopic Fractionation

Physical Chemistry Background

Fractionation Factor ¿ and Enrichment Factor ¿

Isotopic Fractionation in Rayleigh Processes

Isotopic Fractionation Summary

Stable Isotopic Distribution and Isotopic Fractionation of Light Elements in Nature

Hydrogen

Oxygen

18O in Bone Bio-apatite and Source Water

Bone Remodelling

Bone Diagenesis

Diagenetic Changes of Bio-apatite

Carbon

Nitrogen

Food Chain and Trophic Level Shift

Diagenetic Changes of Structural Proteins

Sulfur

Stable Isotope Forensics in Everyday Life

.Food Forensics'

Authenticity and Provenance of Single-Seed Vegetable Oils

Authenticity and Provenance of Beverages

Authenticity and Provenance of other Premium Foods

Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals

Environmental Forensics

Wildlife Forensics

Anti-Doping Control

Summary of Part I

Set problems

References

Instrumentation and Analytical Techniques

Mass Spectrometry versus Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry

Instrumentation and ¿ Notation

Dual-Inlet Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry

Continuous Flow Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry

Bulk Material Stable Isotope Analysis

Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis

CSIA and Compound Identification

Position-Specific Isotope Analysis

CSIA of Polar, Non-Volatile Organic Compounds

Isotopic Calibration and Quality Control in Continuous Flow Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry

Two-Point or End-member Scale Correction

Scale Correction of Measured ¿2H Values

Scale Correction of Measured ¿13C Values

Statistical Analysis of Stable Isotope Data within a Forensic Context

Chemometric Analysis

Bayesian Analysis

Forensic Stable Isotope Analytical Procedures

FIRMS Network

Generic Considerations for Stable Isotope Analysis

Generic Considerations for Sample Preparation

Generic Considerations for BSIA

Isobaric Interference

Particular Considerations for 2H-BSIA

Keeping Your Powder Dry

Total ¿2H versus True ¿2H Values

2H Isotope Analysis of Human Hair

Ionization Quench Effect

Generic Considerations for CSIA

Isotopic Calibration during GC/C-IRMS

Isotope Effects in GC/C-IRMS during Sample Injection

Chromatographic Isotope Effect in GC/C-IRMS

Summary of Part II

Set Problems

Pre-Installation Requirements

Laboratory Location

Temperature Control

Power Supply

Gas Supply

Forensic Laboratory Considerations

Finishing Touches

References

Stable Isotope Forensics: Case Studies and Current Research

Forensic Context

Distinguishing Drugs

Natural and Semisynthetic Drugs

Marijuana

Morphine and Heroin

Cocaine

Synthetic Drugs

Amphetamines

MDMA: Synthesis and Isotopic Signature

Three Different Synthetic Routes - Controlled Conditions

One Synthetic Route - Variable Conditions

Methamphetamine: Synthesis and Isotopic Signature

Conclusions

Elucidating Explosives

Bulk Isotope Analysis of Explosives and Precursors

Ammonium Nitrate

Hexamine, RDX and Semtex

Hydrogen Peroxide and Peroxides

Isotopic Product/Precursor Relationship

Potential Pitfalls

Conclusions

Matching Matchsticks

13C-Bulk Isotope Analysis

18O-Bulk Isotope Analysis

2H-Bulk Isotope Analysis

Matching Matches from Fire Scenes

Conclusions

Provenancing People

Stable Isotope Abundance Variation in Human Tissue

The Skull from the Sea

A Human Life Recorded in Hair

Found in Newfoundland

The Case of 'The Scissor Sisters'

Conclusions

Stable Isotope Forensics of other Physical Evidence

Microbial Isotope Forensics

Paper, Plastic (Bags) and Parcel Tape

Paper

Plastic and Plastic Bags

Parcel Tape

Conclusions

Summary

Testosterone Metabolism and 13C Isotopic Composition

Analytical Methodology: Gas Chromatography and Peak Identification

Preparing Silver Phosphate from Bio-apatite for 18O Isotope Analysis

Acid Digest of Carbonate from Bio-apatite for 13C and 18O Isotope Analysis

Standard Protocol for Preparing Hair Samples for 2H Isotope Analysis

References

Government Agencies and Institutes with Dedicated Stable Isotope Laboratories

Acknowledgements

Recommended Reading

Author's Biography

Index'

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