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Our people-our expertise: Dr Jim Carter

Our people-our expertise

Dr Jim Carter

Qualifications | Research interests | Publications | Presentations | Memberships

Jim has worked at both the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) government funded mass spectrometry research facilities in the United Kingdom and has been involved with stable isotope analysis since the early 1990s. Between 2003 and 2012 he was director of a UK forensic service provider and has given expert evidence in criminal cases, including stable isotope analysis.

Jim is currently a Director of the Forensic Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (FIRMS) network - an international group of scientists aimed at promoting stable isotope analysis as a forensic tool. He has acted as a technical expert for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as part of a project supporting isotopic techniques to assess climate change.

Jim has devised and supervised numerous undergraduate and post-graduate research projects and is currently acting as a supervisor to two PhD candidates at GU and UQ.

Jim is an Honorary Associate Professor with the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation and an Adjunct Research Fellow at Griffith University

SCOPUS: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=7403988730

Qualifications

  • PhD Forensic Applications of Advanced Mass Spectrometry Techniques. University of Bristol, United Kindgom
  • Master of Science (Instrumental Analytical Chemistry). Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom
  • Bachelor of Science (Chemistry and Applied Physics). University of Durham, United Kingdom

Research interests and expertise

  • Developing forensic and food forensic applications for stable isotope tracer techniques in combination with chemical and physical analysis
  • Developing statistical tools for the interpretation and presentation of complex data

Publications

BOOKS

Dunn P, Carter JF (2018) Good practice guide for Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (2nd edition). Other. Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, United Kingdom.

Carter JF, Chesson LA (2017) Food Forensics: Stable Isotopes as a Guide to Authenticity and Origin. Boca Raton FL : CRC Press.

ARTICLES

Meikle J, Jones K, Cresswell SL, Matheson C, Carter JF. (2024). The effects of fingerprinting agents on the stable isotope ratios of polyethylene films. Science & Justice, 64(6) 599-604. DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.09.001

Bowman JR, Cresswell SL, Peter T, Carter JF, (2024). Once upon a twine: The Donna Steele murder investigation and an improved methodology for the comparison of synthetic twine. Science & Justice, 64(1) 19-27. DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2023.11.006

Fry B, Carter JF, O'Mara K. (2023). Fingerprinting eukaryotic metabolism across the animal kingdom using position-specific isotope analysis (PSIA) ¹³C/¹²C measurements. Science Advances, 9(27). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg1549

Salouros H, Carter JF, Dunn PJH, Doyle SPG. (2023). Letter to the Editor regarding: A review of recent compound-specific isotope analysis studies applied to food authentication. Food Chemistry, 428(1). DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136776

Meikle J, Jones K, Cresswell SL, Matheson C, Carter JF, (2023). Assessment of the stable isotope ratio variability of cling films purchased in Australia. Forensic Chemistry. DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2023.100486

Skzypek G, Allison CE, Bohlke JK, Bontempo L, Brewer P, Camin F, Carter JF, Chartrand MMG, Coplen TB, Groning M, Helie J, Esquivel-Hernandez G, Kraft RA, Magdas DA, Mann JL, Meija J, Meija HAJ, Moosen H, Ogrinc N, Perini M, Possolo A, Rogers KM, Schmmelmann A, Shemesh A, Soto DX, Thomas F, Weilgosz R, Winchester MR, Yan Z, Dunn PJH, (2022). Minimum requirements for publishing hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur stable stable-isotope delta results (IUPAC Technical Report). Pure and Applied Chemistry. DOI: 10.1515/pac-2021-1108 

Peter T, Carter JF, Bennett E, Anuj SR, (2022). The isotopic compositions of hexamine solid fuel tablets used to manufacture hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) explosive. Forensic Chemistry, 31. DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2022.100446

Cormick J, Carter JF, Currie T, Matheson C, Cresswell SL, (2022).  Isotope fractionation during the synthesis of MDMA.HC1 from helional. Forensic Chemistry, 28 100406. DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2022.100406 

Cormick J, Carter JF, Currie T, Matheson Carney, Cresswell SL, (2021). A survey of amphetamine type stimulant nitrogen sources by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Forensic Chemistry, 26. DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2021.100353

Hungerford NL, Zhang J, Smith TJ, Yates HSA, Chowdhury SA, Carter JF, Carpinelli de Jesus M, Fletcher MT, (2021). Feeding Sugars to Stingless Bees: Identifying the Origin of Trehalulose-Rich Honey Composition. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c02859

Cormick J, Carter JF, Currie T, Matheson C, Cresswell SL, (2021). A survey of novel MDA and MDMA precursors by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Forensic Chemistry, 24. DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2021.100341

Meikle J, Jones K, Cresswell SL, Boyd SE, Carter JF. (2021). A homogeneity study of cling films using stable isotope ratios. Forensic Chemistry, 23. DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2021.100320

Dunn, PJH, Carter JF, Chesson LA, Doyle SPG, Howa JD, Gaunt W, Whetton M, (2021). The FIRMS Networks PT scheme: What can be learned about inter-laboratory performance?. Forensic Chemistry, 22. DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2021.100306

Chowdhury SA, Carter JF, Anuj SR, Cozzolino D, Hungerford NL, Fletcher MT, (2020). The Validity of Protein in Australian Honey as an Internal Standard for C4 Sugar Adulteration. Food Analytical Methods. DOI: 10.1007/s12161-020-01938-6 

Schimmelmann A, Qi H, Dunn PJH, Camin F, Bontempo L, Potocnik D, Ogrinc N, Kelly S, Carter JF, Abrahim A, Reid LT, Coplen TB, (2020). Food Matrix Reference Materials for Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Sulfur Stable Isotope-Ratio Measurements: Collagens, Flours, honeys, and Vegetable Oils. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c02610

Fry B, Carter JF, (2019) Stable carbon isotope diagnostics of mammalian metabolism, a high-resolution isotomics approach using amino acid carboxyl groups. PLoS One, 14 (10). e0224297. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224297

Meikle J, Cresswell S, Boyd S, Carter JF, Collett S (2019) A stable isotope ratio approach to investigate the origins of illicit methylamphetamine in Queensland, Australia. Forensic Chemistry, 16. DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2019.100174

Fry B, Carter JF, Yamada K, Yoshida N, Juchelka D (2018) Position-specific 13 C/12 C analysis of amino acid carboxyl groups - automated flow-injection-analysis based on reaction with ninhydrin. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 32 (12). DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8126

Nienaber LM, Cresswell SL, Carter JF, Peter T. (2017) A comparison of plastic cable ties based on physical, chemical and stable isotopic measurements. Science and Justice. 58(1): 67-75. DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2017.09.001

Dunn PJH, Salouros H, Carter JF, Doyle S (2017) Forensic application of stable isotope delta values: proposed minimum requirements for method validation. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. 31(17): 1476-1480. DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7925

Natusch DJD, Carter JF, Aust PW, Tri NV, Tinggi U, Mumpuni, Riyanto A, Lyons JA (2017) Serpent's source: determining the source and geographic origin of traded python skins using isotopic and elemental markers. Biological Conservation. 209: 406–414. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.02.042

Fry B, Carter JF, Tinggi U, Arman A, Kamal M, Metian M, Waduge VA, Yaccup RB (2016) Prawn biomonitors of nutrient and trace metal pollution along Asia-Pacific coastlines. Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies. 52(6):619-32. DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2016.1149481

Carter JF, Yates HSA, Tinggi U (2015) Isotopic and elemental composition of roasted coffee as a guide to authenticity and origin. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 63(24): 5771-5779. DOI:10.1021/acs.jafc.5b01526

Carter JF, Yates HSA, Tinggi U (2015) Stable isotope and chemical compositions of European and Australasian ciders as a guide to authenticity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 63(3): 975-982. DOI: 10.1021/jf5030054

Carter JF, Tinggi U, Yang X, Fry B (2015) Stable isotope and trace metal compositions of Australian prawns as a guide to authenticity and wholesomeness. Food Chemistry, 170: 241-248. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.08.037

Carter JF, Yates HSA, Tinggi U (2015) A global survey of the stable isotope and chemical compositions of bottled and canned beers as a guide to authenticity. Science & Justice. 55(1): 18-26. DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2014.05.002

Carter JF, Doyle S, Phasumane B-L, NicDaeid N (2014) The role of isotope ratio mass spectrometry as a tool for the comparison of physical evidence. Science & Justice. 54(5): 327-34. DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2014.06.010

Carter, JF and Fry, B (2013) Ensuring the reliability of stable isotope ratio data - beyond the principle of identical treatment. Analytical & Bioanalytical Chemistry, 405 (9). pp. 2799-2814. DOI: 10.1007/s00216-012-6551-0

Carter, JF and Fry, B (2013) "Do it yourself" reference materials for δ 13C determinations by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Analytical & Bioanalytical Chemistry, 405 (14), pp. 4959-4962. DOI: 10.1007/s00216-013-6851-z

Carter JF, Barwick VJ (eds) (2011) Good practice guide for isotope ration mass spectrometry, FIRMS (2011). http://www.forensic-isotopes.org/gpg.html

BOOK CHAPTERS

Carter JF (2017) 'Isotope ratio measurements for food forensics', in: Food forensics: stable isotopes as a guide to authenticity and origin. CRC Press, pp. 1-21. DOI: 10.1201/9781315151649-2

Carter JF, Chesson LA (2017) 'Sampling, sample preparation and analysis', in: Food forensics: stable isotopes as a guide to authenticity and origin. CRC Press, pp. 22-45. DOI: 10.1201/9781315151649-3

Carter JF (2017) 'Fruits and vegetables', in: Food forensics: stable isotopes as a guide to authenticity and origin. CRC Press, pp. 153-175. DOI: 10.1201/9781315151649-8

Carter JF, Camin F. (2017) 'Alcoholic beverages I — wine', in: Food forensics: stable isotopes as a guide to authenticity and origin. CRC Press, pp. 176-208. DOI: 10.1201/9781315151649-9

Carter, JF and Tinggi, Ujang and Yang, Xiaohong and Fry, B (2015) Stable isotope and trace metal compositions of Australian prawns as a guide to authenticity and wholesomeness. Food Chemistry, 170. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.08.037

Carter JF (2017) 'Alcoholic beverages II — spirits, beer, sake and cider', in: Food forensics: stable isotopes as a guide to authenticity and origin. CRC Press, pp. 207-238. DOI: 10.1201/9781315151649-10

Carter JF, Meier-Augenstein W (2012) 'Stable isotope analysis: drugs', in Wiley encyclopedia of forensic science (eds A. Jamieson & A.A. Moenssens). DOI: 10.1002/9780470061589.fsa1065

Presentations

 

July 2022: Food forensics - authenticity and traceability. In: Crop to Kitchen - new foods showcase, at FSS, Brisbane, Qld.

November 2019: A new method for the authentication of Australian honey, with Chowdhury SA, Anuj S, Hungerford NL, Fletcher MT, In: TropAg 2019, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC), Qld.

Dec 2018: Position Specific Isotope Analysis (PSIA): the final frontier in stable isotope analysis, In: 3rd Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium, 6-7 December 2018, QUT institute for Future Environments, Brisbane, Qld.

Nov 2017: Invited speaker Food forensics: authenticity and traceability using stable isotopes, In: TropAg 2017, 20-22 November 2017, Brisbane, Qld.

Memberships

Dr Jim Carter
Senior Chemist, Organic Chemistry
email: jim.carter@health.qld.gov.au
phone: +61 7 3096 2855