Synopsis
THE TRACERS is a film on nameless corpses, on economic subsidy fraud and Peruvian mummies. Focus lies on two natural scientists from Munich with an outstanding knowledge of applicating isotope analysis as a research method far beyond its properly scientific discipline, which is palaeontology.The sophisticated lab they have established differs from ordinary chemistry labs and is engaged by many different clients. The proportions of isotopes within chemical elements are determined by external impact such as climate, food and environmental conditions. The film highlights three research cases and is going on spot of each: forensic science in a murder case, tracing the origin of regional food, and archaeological excavations at Nasca in Peru.