Recent applications of isotope analysis to forensic anthropology
Isotope analysis has become an increasingly valuable tool in forensic anthropology casework over the past decade. Modern-day isotopic investigations on human remains have integrated the use of multi-isotope profiles (e.g. C, N, O, H, S, Sr, and Pb) as well as isotopic landscapes (“isoscapes”) from m...
Main Authors: | , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2019-01-01
|
Series: | Forensic Sciences Research |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2018.1549527 |
id |
doaj-bc592d63657a4683bc89853172f73cb3 |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-bc592d63657a4683bc89853172f73cb32020-11-24T21:56:42ZengTaylor & Francis GroupForensic Sciences Research2096-17902471-14112019-01-0141294410.1080/20961790.2018.15495271549527Recent applications of isotope analysis to forensic anthropologyEric J. Bartelink0Lesley A. Chesson1California State UniversityPacific Architects and Engineers (PAE)Isotope analysis has become an increasingly valuable tool in forensic anthropology casework over the past decade. Modern-day isotopic investigations on human remains have integrated the use of multi-isotope profiles (e.g. C, N, O, H, S, Sr, and Pb) as well as isotopic landscapes (“isoscapes”) from multiple body tissues (e.g. teeth, bone, hair, and nails) to predict possible region-of-origin of unidentified human remains. Together, data from various isotope analyses provide additional lines of evidence for human identification, including a decedent’s possible region-of-birth, long-term adult residence, recent travel history, and dietary choices. Here, we present the basic principles of isotope analysis and provide a brief overview of instrumentation, analytical standards, sample selection, and sample quality measures. Finally, we present case studies that reflect the diverse applications of isotope analysis to the medicolegal system before describing some future research directions. As shown herein, isotope analysis is a flexible and powerful geolocation tool that can provide new investigative leads for unidentified human remains cases.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2018.1549527Forensic sciencesforensic anthropologystable isotope analysisisoscapesprovenancing |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Eric J. Bartelink Lesley A. Chesson |
spellingShingle |
Eric J. Bartelink Lesley A. Chesson Recent applications of isotope analysis to forensic anthropology Forensic Sciences Research Forensic sciences forensic anthropology stable isotope analysis isoscapes provenancing |
author_facet |
Eric J. Bartelink Lesley A. Chesson |
author_sort |
Eric J. Bartelink |
title |
Recent applications of isotope analysis to forensic anthropology |
title_short |
Recent applications of isotope analysis to forensic anthropology |
title_full |
Recent applications of isotope analysis to forensic anthropology |
title_fullStr |
Recent applications of isotope analysis to forensic anthropology |
title_full_unstemmed |
Recent applications of isotope analysis to forensic anthropology |
title_sort |
recent applications of isotope analysis to forensic anthropology |
publisher |
Taylor & Francis Group |
series |
Forensic Sciences Research |
issn |
2096-1790 2471-1411 |
publishDate |
2019-01-01 |
description |
Isotope analysis has become an increasingly valuable tool in forensic anthropology casework over the past decade. Modern-day isotopic investigations on human remains have integrated the use of multi-isotope profiles (e.g. C, N, O, H, S, Sr, and Pb) as well as isotopic landscapes (“isoscapes”) from multiple body tissues (e.g. teeth, bone, hair, and nails) to predict possible region-of-origin of unidentified human remains. Together, data from various isotope analyses provide additional lines of evidence for human identification, including a decedent’s possible region-of-birth, long-term adult residence, recent travel history, and dietary choices. Here, we present the basic principles of isotope analysis and provide a brief overview of instrumentation, analytical standards, sample selection, and sample quality measures. Finally, we present case studies that reflect the diverse applications of isotope analysis to the medicolegal system before describing some future research directions. As shown herein, isotope analysis is a flexible and powerful geolocation tool that can provide new investigative leads for unidentified human remains cases. |
topic |
Forensic sciences forensic anthropology stable isotope analysis isoscapes provenancing |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2018.1549527 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT ericjbartelink recentapplicationsofisotopeanalysistoforensicanthropology AT lesleyachesson recentapplicationsofisotopeanalysistoforensicanthropology |
_version_ |
1725857674437853184 |