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Traveling There and Back Again: A Fingernail's Tale
Christy J Mancuso1, James R Ehleringer1
1Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|June 29, 2018
Summary
Stable isotope analysis of fingernails can reconstruct travel history. Drinking water significantly impacts isotope profiles, aligning with travel patterns and supporting fingernail tissue utility for forensic and anthropological studies.
Area of Science:
- Stable isotope geochemistry
- Human mobility studies
- Forensic science
Background:
- Stable isotope analysis in biological tissues offers insights into an individual's geographic history.
- Fingernail tissue provides a long-term record of physiological changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of stable isotope biomarkers in human fingernails for reconstructing travel histories.
- To examine the influence of dietary and drinking water on fingernail stable isotope profiles.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of stable isotope ratios (e.g., oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen) in fingernail samples from travelers.
- Comparison of observed isotope data with theoretical and predictive geospatial models.
- Case studies involving individual, paired, and serial travelers.
Main Results:
- Drinking water composition was a primary driver of stable isotope profiles in fingernails.
- Observed isotope patterns correlated strongly with reported travel histories.
- Fingernail isotope ratios demonstrated consistent turnover and transition rates aligning with new environmental exposures.
Conclusions:
- Fingernail stable isotope analysis is a viable method for reconstructing human travel histories.
- This technique has significant potential for anthropological and forensic geospatial investigations.
- Drinking water is a key factor to consider when interpreting stable isotope data from fingernails.
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