The role of stable isotope analysis in forensic anthropology

Ubelaker, Douglas H.; Francescutti, Caroline

doi:10.1002/9781119482062.ch19

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…The natural isotopic composition of hydrogen, strontium, and several other elements measured in bone or teeth can be used to infer the geographic region that a person inhabited as different regions tend to have distinct isotopic compositions due local geological and environmental conditions (Burton et al, 2003;Hoogewerff et al, 2001). So by examination of specific bones that have differing degrees of re-solubilization and replacement of these elements (e.g., highest rate of bone remodeling: humeri, metacarpals, and ribs; lowest: cranium- Fahy et al, 2017), it is possible to trace where a person was at various times of their life history and to indicate specific changes in diet during life (Budd et al 2001;Budd et al, 2004;Pate et al, 2002;Pate, 2008;Ubelaker & Francescutti, 2020). From the perspective of the anthropologist who may be involved in assisting with facilitating the required osteological samples, Fahy et al (2017, p. 10) examined variations in stable isotope ratios relative to bone remodeling rates and noted "Isotope studies that compare individual skeletal elements between populations should standardize their methodology to bones with either a slow [occipital] or fast [humerus, metacarpals, ribs] turnover rate."…”

Section: Chemical Testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The professional practice of forensic anthropology: Contemporary developments and cross‐disciplinary applications

Franklin

Marks

2021

WIREs Forensic Science

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The modern practice of forensic anthropology is focused on the quantification of skeletal variation based upon a qualitative prowess developed according to theory and method in the parent discipline of biological anthropology. Such morphological variances allow estimates of biological attributes, for example, age, sex, population affinity, stature, pathology of disease processes-among others, that collectively may resolve the identification of unknown forensic human remains.The latter is a basic human right under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) afforded to descendants who go missing in armed conflicts and other violence-base situations. The specific traditional methods applied by the forensic anthropologist are well established in the published literature and routinely supported by global research that guides graduate programs designed to train the next generation of practitioners. Important in that cornerstone literature and graduate training regimen are aspects of our practice that are increasingly cross-disciplinary, especially those grounded in the molecular, chemical, and histological sciences. These upper-tier endeavors supplement and many times, validate, the traditional approaches as dictated by case context. This review focuses on evolving cross-disciplinary developments and novel research trends in the analysis of human remains that involve the specific expertise of the forensic anthropologist.

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Section: Chemical Testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The professional practice of forensic anthropology: Contemporary developments and cross‐disciplinary applications

Franklin

Marks

2021

WIREs Forensic Science

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“…This is possible as the isotope ratio of different elements will vary depending on a person's exposure to environmental factors such as drinking water and food nutrition (Chesson et al, 2017). Isotopic analysis of different tissue types can reveal traces of an individual's life history because they have different rates of tissue turnover (Ubelaker & Francescutti, 2020). Both stable isotope analysis (SIA) and unstable (radioactive) isotope decay can contribute to a range of information regarding a deceased individual's movements from the time of birth to death.…”

Section: Forensic Isotope Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

An interdisciplinary forensic approach for human remains identification and missing persons investigations

Dahal

McNevin

Chikhani

et al. 2023

WIREs Forensic Science

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The resolution of unidentified human remains (UHR) and long‐term missing persons (LTMP) cases is paramount for administrative, legal, and humanitarian reasons. There are various forensic profiling methods for human identification; however, their utility is dependent on several factors. First, UHR can be found in different stages of decomposition, so the availability and diversity of post‐mortem (PM) information will differ. Second, the availability and totality of the LTMP's ante‐mortem (AM) information will differ. Therefore, the suitability of existing methods will be dependent on the quality and quantity of PM and/or AM data available for comparison. Visual recognition is the simplest and quickest method, but typically not practiced or possible, owing to the altered, fragmented, or skeletonized state of UHR. Primary forensic profiling methods involve the comparison of fingerprint, dental, DNA, and medical data. Secondary forensic profiling methods from anthropology, radiology, geochemistry, and anatomy disciplines can provide supplementary evidence to support comparative identification approaches. Emerging forensic molecular technologies such as genomics, microbiomics, epigenetics, and proteomics, together with individual digital footprints from personal devices, offer new investigative leads for establishing identity. However, despite the success of these individual methods, their limitations must be considered when used in isolation. Through the development of a guiding forensic examination framework, this review endorses an interdisciplinary response to unidentified and missing persons investigations, where various forensic specialists collaboratively examine UHR using a suite of contemporary forensic profiling methods to produce multiple and/or different lines of evidence to link them effectively, efficiently, comprehensively, and systematically to LTMP. This article is categorized under: Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > Special Situations and Investigations Forensic Biology > DNA Testing in Disaster Victim and Missing Persons Identification Forensic Medicine > Medicolegal Death Investigation Systems Jurisprudence and Regulatory Oversight > Interdisciplinary Collaboration

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Forensic Anthropology

Ubelaker¹

2023

A Companion to Biological Anthropology

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The role of stable isotope analysis in forensic anthropology

Cited by 8 publications

References 70 publications

The professional practice of forensic anthropology: Contemporary developments and cross‐disciplinary applications

The professional practice of forensic anthropology: Contemporary developments and cross‐disciplinary applications

An interdisciplinary forensic approach for human remains identification and missing persons investigations

Forensic Anthropology

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