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Isotopes

Isotopes

Elements have a set number of protons that determines their atomic number (Z). For example, all atoms with eight protons are oxygen; however, the number of neutrons can vary for atoms of the same element. The sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are called isotopes. Elements can have multiple isotopes, for example, carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14.
An element's atomic mass, or weight,...

Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating

Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating

Radioactivity is a spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nuclide and is a random process, as all the nuclei in the sample do not decay simultaneously. The number of disintegrations per unit time is called the activity (A), which is directly proportional to the number of nuclei in the sample. The decay constant (λ) is an average probability of decay per nucleus in unit time.

Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect

Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect

Most elements exist in nature as a mixture of isotopes. The isotopes differ in weight due to their respective number of neutrons. The molecular weight of a molecule is different depending on the specific isotope of its elements involved. As a result, the mass spectrum of the molecule exhibits peaks from the same fragment at multiple positions. The positions of these mass signals depend on the mass differences between isotopes. Furthermore, the intensity of these signals is dependent on the...

Applications Of NMR In Biology

Applications Of NMR In Biology

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a very valuable analytical technique for researchers. It has been used for more than 50 years as an analytical tool. F. Bloch and E. Purcell formulated NMR in 1946 and won the 1952 Nobel Prize in Physics for their work. Biological macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and organic molecules including pharmaceutical compounds, can be studied using this versatile tool that exploits the magnetic properties of certain nuclei.

Isotopes and Radioisotopes

Isotopes and Radioisotopes

In the early 1900s, English chemist Frederick Soddy realized that an element could have atoms with different masses that were chemically indistinguishable. These different types are called isotopes — atoms of the same element that differ in mass. Isotopes differ in mass because they have different numbers of neutrons but are chemically identical because they have the same number of protons. Soddy was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1921 for this discovery.
An isotope containing...

Applications of IR Spectroscopy: Overview

Applications of IR Spectroscopy: Overview

The non-destructive nature and ability to provide valuable chemical information make IR spectroscopy a versatile technique with broad applications in various scientific and industrial fields. IR spectroscopy is commonly used to identify and characterize organic and inorganic compounds. It provides information about the functional groups present in a molecule and the bonding between atoms. This helps in the structural elucidation of compounds during organic synthesis, pharmaceutical research,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Workflow Based on the Combination of Isotopic Tracer Experiments to Investigate Microbial Metabolism of Multiple Nutrient Sources

Workflow Based on the Combination of Isotopic Tracer Experiments to Investigate Microbial Metabolism of Multiple Nutrient Sources

Published on: January 22, 2018

Applications of Isotopes in Forensic Science.

Crist N Filer¹

¹Revvity, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.

Journal of Labelled Compounds & Radiopharmaceuticals

|March 28, 2025

Summary

Isotopes offer powerful forensic tools, aiding investigations from wildlife trafficking to counterfeit medicines. This review explores isotope applications in various forensic science fields, including nuclear forensics and AI.

Keywords:

explosives food authentication illicit drugs isotope ratio mass spectrometry

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Last Updated: Apr 16, 2026

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Area of Science:

Forensic Science
Analytical Chemistry

Background:

The concept of isotopes emerged in the early 20th century, supported by significant experimental findings.
Isotope analysis has become a crucial technique in various scientific disciplines.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the diverse applications of isotopes in forensic science.
To highlight the role of isotope ratio measurement in forensic investigations.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on isotope applications in forensics.
Discussion of isotope ratio measurement techniques and variations.

Main Results:

Isotopes are applicable in forensic anthropology, wildlife trafficking, explosives, illicit drugs, and counterfeit medicines.
Isotope analysis is valuable for food authentication and nuclear forensics.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a tool in isotope-based forensic analysis.

Conclusions:

Isotope analysis provides a versatile and powerful methodology for forensic investigations.
Future research directions include further integration of AI and advanced analytical techniques.