Stable Isotope Analysis in Forensic Sciences: Theoretical Foundations, Applications, and Advances in Brazil

Abstract

Stable isotopes are important natural tracers widely used in environmental, ecological, and forensic studies because their variations reflect physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring in the environment and in living organisms. The analysis of isotopic ratios of elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur allows investigation of diet, trophic position, geographic origin, and environmental interactions, while isotopic systems such as strontium and lead provide information related to the geological signature of specific regions. This article reviews the theoretical foundations of stable isotope analysis, including isotopic fractionation, delta notation, and mass spectrometry-based analytical methods, and discusses the main applications of this technique in forensic science, with emphasis on studies conducted in Brazil. These applications include the traceability of illicit drugs, determination of the geographic origin of individuals and animals, food authentication, and environmental crime investigation. Recent advances involving isoscapes, geostatistical models, and machine learning are also addressed, as they have expanded geographic inference and improved the robustness of isotopic interpretations. Overall, the integration of multiple isotopic systems, environmental databases, and statistical tools has consolidated isotope analysis as a powerful approach for provenance, traceability, and authentication studies in forensic contexts.

Keywords

Assinatura isotópica
Isotopia forense
Isoscapes
Proveniência geográfica
Rastreablidade
Isotopic signature
Forensic isotopy
Isoscapes
Geographic provenance
Traceability

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Author(s)

  • Victor Wilson Botteon,
  • L. C. Reis ,
  • P.B. Camargo ,

    • Victor Wilson Botteon

    Polícia Científica de Santa Catarina

    Perito Criminal Geral do Instituto Geral de Perícias do Estado de Santa Catarina (IGP/SC). Ex-Perito Criminal do Estado de São Paulo. Possui graduação em Bacharelado e Licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas pela Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo (ESALQ/USP) e Mestrado em Ciências pelo Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, da Universidade de São Paulo (CENA/USP). Autor de publicações científicas nas áreas de Entomologia e Ciências Forenses. Atua como professor de Criminalística e Medicina Legal em cursos preparatórios para concursos públicos.

    L. C. Reis

    P.B. Camargo

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