ENVIRONMENTAL FORENSICS AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

THE MODERNIZATION OF THE WATER AND EFFLUENT ANALYSIS LABORATORY AT THE INSTITUTE OF CRIMINALISTICS IN GOIÁS

Abstract

This study addresses the technical, economic, and operational feasibility of implementing the Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) at the Laboratory for Water and Effluent Analysis (LAAE), under the Goiás Police Technical- Scientific Superintendency (SPTC/GO). The research emphasizes the importance of environmental forensics for producing technical evidence related to water pollution crimes and other environmental infractions. The study also explores the strategic feasibility of securing institutional and private funding for implementing the equipment. A qualitative approach was employed, including a bibliographic review, documentary analysis, and consultations with case studies and technical literature. The results indicate that the ICP-OES is an indispensable tool for identifying and quantifying heavy metals and other pollutants at trace levels, capable of meeting the requirements of Resolutions CONAMA No. 357, 396, and 430. Despite the high acquisition and maintenance costs, the equipment demonstrates strong technical and economic feasibility, particularly when supported by institutional partnerships and external funding sources. The implementation of the ICP-OES at LAAE will enhance custody chain procedures, expand the laboratory's technical capacity, and establish Goiás as a reference in environmental forensics in Brazil. It is concluded that investing in the ICP-OES will not only meet the growing demand for precise analyses but also contribute to holding offenders accountable and mitigating environmental impacts.