Stable Isotopes Trace the Truth: From Adulterated Foods to Crime Scenes

Research Article| August 01, 2015 Stable Isotopes Trace the Truth: From Adulterated Foods to Crime Scenes James R. Ehleringer; James R. Ehleringer 1Global Change and Sustainability Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah USAE-mail:jim.ehleringer@utah.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lesley A. Chesson; Lesley A. Chesson 2IsoForensics Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah USAE-mail: Lesley@isoforensics.com Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Luciano O. Valenzuela; Luciano O. Valenzuela 3Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Quequen, ArgentinaE-mail: lucianoovalenzuela@gmail.com Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brett J. Tipple; Brett J. Tipple 4IsoForensics Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah USAE-mail: Brett@isoforensics.com Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Luiz A. Martinelli Luiz A. Martinelli 5CENA, University of Sao Paulo, Piracicaba, BrazilE-mail: martinelli@cena.usp.br Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information James R. Ehleringer 1Global Change and Sustainability Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah USAE-mail:jim.ehleringer@utah.edu Lesley A. Chesson 2IsoForensics Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah USAE-mail: Lesley@isoforensics.com Luciano O. Valenzuela 3Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Quequen, ArgentinaE-mail: lucianoovalenzuela@gmail.com Brett J. Tipple 4IsoForensics Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah USAE-mail: Brett@isoforensics.com Luiz A. Martinelli 5CENA, University of Sao Paulo, Piracicaba, BrazilE-mail: martinelli@cena.usp.br Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1811-5217 Print ISSN: 1811-5209 © 2015 by the Mineralogical Society of America Elements (2015) 11 (4): 259–264. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.11.4.259 Article history First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation James R. Ehleringer, Lesley A. Chesson, Luciano O. Valenzuela, Brett J. Tipple, Luiz A. Martinelli; Stable Isotopes Trace the Truth: From Adulterated Foods to Crime Scenes. Elements 2015;; 11 (4): 259–264. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.11.4.259 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Stable isotopes are valuable biogeochemical markers for solving problems faced by society today, such as distinguishing authentic from adulterated foods and beverages or tracing the origins of illicit drugs. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in water exhibit distinct continental patterns (isoscapes), which provide useful region-of-origin information. We ourselves reflect the stable isotope ratios of the water we drink and the food we eat: our hair records any isotopic changes to our diets, which can often be related to location. This latter aspect can be of interest to law enforcement in determining the origins and travel histories of unidentified murder victims. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.