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Forensic Applications of Light-Element Stable Isotope Ratios of Ricinus communis Seeds and Ricin Preparations

NCJ Number
243681
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: S 1 Dated: January 2013 Pages: S 43-S 51
Author(s)
Helen W. Kreuzer, Ph.D.; Jason B. West, Ph.D.; James R. Ehleringer, Ph.D.
Date Published
January 2013
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Researchers tested whether stable isotope ratios of castor seeds and ricin preparations can be used as a forensic signature.
Abstract
Seeds of the castor plant Ricinus communis are of forensic interest because they are the source of the poison ricin. The researchers tested whether stable isotope ratios of castor seeds and ricin preparations can be used as a forensic signature. The researchers collected over 300 castor seed samples worldwide and measured the C, N, O, and H isotope ratios of the whole seeds and oil. Researchers prepared ricin by three different procedures, acetone extraction, salt precipitation, and affinity chromatography, and compared their isotope ratios to those of the source seeds. The N isotope ratios of the ricin samples and source seeds were virtually identical. Therefore, N isotope ratios can be used to correlate ricin prepared by any of these methods to source seeds. Further, stable isotope ratios distinguished greater than 99 percent of crude and purified ricin protein samples in pairwise comparison tests. Stable isotope ratios therefore constitute a valuable forensic signature for ricin preparations. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.