Determining an Alternative Skeletal Feature to be Utilized in 87Sr/86Sr Isotopic Analysis When Tooth Enamel is Unavailable

UC North Ballroom

Samantha Powers

Forensic Anthropology MA Student

Advisor: Dr. Meradeth Snow

UM Grad Con Abstract

Determining an Alternative Skeletal Feature to be Utilized in Strontium Isotope Analysis When Teeth are Unavailable

Abstract

Strontium is an alkaline earth metal that enters the human body via the consumption of food and water. A minimal level of these molecules integrate into human bone, replacing calcium. The level found in skeletal material directly correlates to the level of strontium found in the fauna and soil of the region an individual resides.

Due to this correlation, strontium isotopes are currently being used in forensic cases to determine the region an individual resided, at or near their time of death. Previous research supports using enamel of the teeth for the most accurate reading of strontium levels. However, teeth are not recovered in many cases or may be too damaged or decayed to provide enough enamel. This research explores alternative locations of the human skeleton to be utilized in these cases. There is currently minimal research that explores this alternative.

The University of Montana houses an individual that such destructive analysis has been approved. Samples of bone from multiple locations will be extracted and sent to a lab at the University of Utah to determine strontium isotope levels. These levels will then be compared to the levels found in the enamel and the known residence around the time of death.

This research will then be applied to future projects that include samples from the Pima County Office of Medical Examiners. They currently house an overwhelming number of individuals that remain unidentified. Most of these individuals perished while crossing the United States Southern border. A predominant factor in these individuals remaining unidentified is not knowing the country or region of origin. The use of strontium isotopes can help direct the search when attempting to locate next of kin. In addition, this research will be helpful in the field of bioarchaeology to determine migration patterns of past populations when complete skeletons are not able to be recovered.