Forensic Sciences Using Strontium Isotopes
Since 2000, UW-Madison Distinguished Scientist Brian Beard has analyzed bone and plant material to determine where an organism resided in order to evaluate if the material came from an alibi location or if it came from the area that a criminal investigation concluded.
Outcomes
Wildlife poachers can now be prosecuted even if they were not observed committing the criminal activity. This has an economic benefit on hunting and trapping, as well as commercial fishing on the Great Lakes.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Brian Beard
Associate Scientist
- Department/Unit
- Geoscience
- School or College
- College of Letters & Science