Evaluation of the efficacy of spatiotemporal Pb isoscapes for provenancing of human remains

Using Carbon, Oxygen, Strontium, and Lead Isotopes in Modern Human Teeth for Forensic Investigations: A Critical Overview Based on Data from Bulgaria

“…The observed δ 18 O in the Bulgarian teeth are within the expected range based on the local water δ 18 O. Similarly, Keller et al demonstrated good correlation between the expected δ 18 O variations across continental USA and actual modern teeth from USAFA cadets. Therefore, δ 18 O mapping of drinking water for a given region can be useful for geo‐referencing.…”

“…Similarly, Keller et al demonstrated good correlation between the expected δ 18 O variations across continental USA and actual modern teeth from USAFA cadets. Therefore, δ 18 O mapping of drinking water for a given region can be useful for geo‐referencing. However, the obtained information from O isotopes is not truly unique to a given region and, as discussed above, before using δ 18 O for geo‐referencing, we must establish a “nonforeigner” status for the unidentified remains by an independent method.…”

“…Therefore, she may have acquired similar variations in δ 18 O by also living outside the USA and/or traveling between the USA and other countries during the last 2 years of her life. In a recent work, Keller et al used δ 18 O from USAFA cadets (US data presented in Fig. , original data from Regan ), and compared them to δ 18 O “isoscapes” of water in the USA.…”

“…For example, model‐based Sr isotopic maps are available for continental USA . Although these model maps provide useful information for modern ecological works , Keller et al showed that the available US tooth enamel data do not correlate with the expected Sr isotope variations across the continental USA. This is likely because the modern human Sr in the USA contains a major component that is independent of local Sr sources .…”

“…Although these model maps provide useful information for modern ecological works , Keller et al showed that the available US tooth enamel data do not correlate with the expected Sr isotope variations across the continental USA. This is likely because the modern human Sr in the USA contains a major component that is independent of local Sr sources . Voerkelius et al used over 650 natural mineral water samples to map Sr isotope variations in Europe.…”