Forensic applications of isotope landscapes (“isoscapes”)

Chesson, Lesley A.; Tipple, Brett J.; Ehleringer, James R.; Park, Todd; Bartelink, Eric J.

doi:10.1002/9781119226529.ch8

Cited by 16 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…From a spatial point of view, isoscapes are just maps, or series of maps at different times; from a formal point of view, isoscapes are ordinary real scalar fields, the relevant random variable being the actual isotope ratio, depicted as a function of space and, possibly, time. Isoscapes are an important tool in ecological modeling, since they can highlight spatial patterns in complex bio-and geochemical interactions, from the field of hydrology [55] to plant physiology [56,57] to animal migration [58] and to forensic science [59], naming only a few. In particular, we focus on the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of three stable isotopes from the fields of hydrology and plant physiology.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Timescape: A Novel Spatiotemporal Modeling Tool

Ciolfi

Chiocchini

Pace

et al. 2022

Earth

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We developed a novel approach in the field of spatiotemporal modeling, based on the spatialisation of time, the Timescape algorithm. It is especially aimed at sparsely distributed datasets in ecological research, whose spatial and temporal variability is strongly entangled. The algorithm is based on the definition of a spatiotemporal distance that incorporates a causality constraint and that is capable of accommodating the seasonal behavior of the modeled variable as well. The actual modeling is conducted exploiting any established spatial interpolation technique, substituting the ordinary spatial distance with our Timescape distance, thus sorting, from the same input set of observations, those causally related to each estimated value at a given site and time. The notion of causality is expressed topologically and it has to be tuned for each particular case. The Timescape algorithm originates from the field of stable isotopes spatial modeling (isoscapes), but in principle it can be used to model any real scalar random field distribution.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Timescape: A Novel Spatiotemporal Modeling Tool

Ciolfi

Chiocchini

Pace

et al. 2022

Earth

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“…This is expected, given their coastal geographical location and proximity (Table 4). Due to the oxygen fractionation in the hydrologic cycle, in general higher δ 18 O values in water are found at low elevations and with a proximity to the coast, while lower δ 18 O values in water are found at higher elevations and further inland [47].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The strontium (Sr) isotope ratios ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) vary across the landscape according to geological age and lithology of bedrock [63], mainly because the strontium isotopic composition of rocks depends on its initial rubidium content ( 87 Rb), Rb/Sr ratio, and age since formation [64]. Thus, older rocks will generally have a higher Rb/Sr ratio and consequently will have higher strontium isotope ratios than younger rocks [47].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of carbon, oxygen, strontium, and lead isotopic variation in modern Colombian teeth: An application to human identification

Castellanos,

DiGangi,

Bethard

et al. 2023

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Colombia faces the complex humanitarian challenges of locating approximately 100,000 missing persons and identifying thousands who are deceased. Identification is a difficult task in many cases, because the skeletonized bodies are deteriorated, missing person data are unavailable for comparison, and the provenance of the remains is often totally unknown. Isotopic analysis of human tissues (e.g., bone, hair, nails, and teeth) aid in the identification process of unknown individuals because they can provide valuable information on possible geographic origin. This project evaluated the isotopic variability of carbon (C), oxygen (O), strontium (Sr), and lead (Pb) in modern Colombian teeth according to city, department (a political designation similar to “state” in the US or Mexico), and one of four geographically determined regions of origin; and assessed its utility for human identification in Colombia. Isotopic data (O‐C‐Sr‐Pb) were analyzed from modern Colombians originating from the cities of Bogotá, Cali, and Neiva (n = 95); and these data were compiled with published Colombian data of individuals mainly from the city of Medellín (n = 61). Results indicate a wide range and overlap of O‐C‐Sr‐Pb isotopic distribution according to the defined categories. However, differences between coastal and lowland individuals are observed when using δ18O values, and differences between mountainous regions are observed when using 87Sr/86Sr values. In addition, this study suggests that the usefulness of isotopic analysis for unidentified individuals in Colombia would be with assigning them geographically using the designations of North, Central Andes, Eastern Andes, or Southwest Andes versus making classifications at a city or department level.

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“…The utility of isotope analysis to estimate a UHR's date of birth and death, geographical region of origin, residence and travel history, and dietary choices is predicated on the ability to accurately measure differences in isotope signatures (Bartelink & Chesson, 2019). 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).…”

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 applications of isotope landscapes (“isoscapes”)

Cited by 16 publications

References 56 publications

Timescape: A Novel Spatiotemporal Modeling Tool

Timescape: A Novel Spatiotemporal Modeling Tool

Assessment of carbon, oxygen, strontium, and lead isotopic variation in modern Colombian teeth: An application to human identification

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

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