On the use of IRMS in forensic science: Proposals for a methodological approach

• Published in: Forensic science international 2011-10, Vol.212 (1), p.260-271
• Main Authors: Gentile, Natacha, Besson, Luc, Pazos, Diego, Delémont, Olivier, Esseiva, Pierre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attraction; Biological and medical sciences; Calibration; Design engineering; Explosive; Forensic application; Forensic engineering; Forensic medicine; Forensic science; Forensic sciences; Forensic Sciences - methods; General aspects; Humans; Ignitable liquid; Illicit drug; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); IRMS; Isotope ratio mass spectrometry; Isotope ratios; Isotopes; Manufacturers; Mass spectrometry; Mass Spectrometry - methods; Medical sciences; Methodological framework; Methodology; Pathology; Process; Proposals; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Research methodology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Source inference; Stable isotope; Strategy; Street Drugs - analysis; Street Drugs - chemistry; Studies; Technology adoption
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.07.003

Abstract The flourishing number of publications on the use of isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) in forensic science denotes the enthusiasm and the attraction generated by this technology. IRMS has demonstrated its potential to distinguish chemically identical compounds coming from different sources. Despite the numerous applications of IRMS to a wide range of forensic materials, its implementation in a forensic framework is less straightforward than it appears. In addition, each laboratory has developed its own strategy of analysis on calibration, sequence design, standards utilisation and data treatment without a clear consensus. Through the experience acquired from research undertaken in different forensic fields, we propose a methodological framework of the whole process using IRMS methods. We emphasize the importance of considering isotopic results as part of a whole approach, when applying this technology to a particular forensic issue. The process is divided into six different steps, which should be considered for a thoughtful and relevant application. The dissection of this process into fundamental steps, further detailed, enables a better understanding of the essential, though not exhaustive, factors that have to be considered in order to obtain results of quality and sufficiently robust to proceed to retrospective analyses or interlaboratory comparisons.