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Refining Stable Oxygen and Hydrogen Isoscapes for the Identification of Human Remains in Mississippi ,
Author(s) -
Warner Monica M.,
Plemons Amber M.,
Herrmann Nicholas P.,
Regan Laura A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.13575
Subject(s) - stable isotope ratio , environmental science , identification (biology) , hydrogen , tap water , isotopes of oxygen , ecology , chemistry , biology , environmental engineering , physics , nuclear chemistry , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Isoscape refinement is an essential component for accurately predicting region‐of‐origin in forensic investigations involving isotope analysis of unidentified human remains. Stable oxygen (δ 18 O) and hydrogen (δ 2 H) isotopes were measured from 57 tap water samples collected across Mississippi to model refined isoscapes for the state. A tap water conversion equation, δ 18 O tw =1.64 δ 18 Op−31.35, was developed for the southeastern USA to test the prediction accuracy of the δ 18 O tw isoscape using individuals with known residential histories. A local Mississippi resident (USAFA‐134) was assigned with 90% probability to the correct region‐of‐origin reported by the participant. Assignments for Georgia residents (USAFA‐118 and USAFA‐205) had variable results, predicting USAFA‐118 from Mississippi and USAFA‐205 as a nonlocal resident. Stable isotope values often overlap geographically and a multi‐isotope approach should be used when narrowing region(s)‐of‐origin(s). This study demonstrates the utility of refining isoscapes and the importance of tissue calibration in prediction assignments of human remains.