Janet Dorigan, the senior biological research advisor from the Central Intelligence Agency give a seminar titled "Forensic Applications of Stable Isotopes." The Hamilton Chapter of the American Chemical Society sponsored the lecture.
Dorigan discussed how different ratios of common elements, such as nitrogen, oxygen and carbon, were used to determine sources of goods seized by the FBI and CIA. This method has been used to trace counterfeit money back to its source by tracing the cotton used in making the money, has traced drug supplies, specifically cocaine and heroin to certain farms in four regions of the world and traced explosives back to their makers. Dorigan also discussed the commercial uses for the isotopes, such as imported supplies of honey and tea.
The ACS chapter plans to bring other scientists from governmental agencies, such as the FBI, to show how chemistry is used in the working world today.