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Valenzuela LO, Otero F, Loupias LL, Béguelin M, García Mancuso R. BITACORA: An isotopic database of modern human tissues (keratin, teeth) for Argentina. Sci Justice 2023; 63:680-688. [PMID: 38030339 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
As a consequence of the recent history of Argentina related to crimes against humanity, the country has positioned itself as a leader on Forensic Anthropology in human rights contexts. To some extent it can even be argued that Forensic Genetics for human identification had its origins in human rights work in the early 1980s in Argentina. However, there are still hundreds of unidentified human remains recovered from the dictatorial regimes' crimes. Additionally, every year there are dozens of unidentified deceased buried in public cemeteries. Thus, there is an urgent need to adopt new techniques that could increase the biological profile of a person, and therefore increase the chances of positive identifications. One of such initiatives is the development of isotopic databases and models that can provide information on the population and region of origin of unidentified victims. We present the development of an isotopic database of modern human tissues named BITACORA (from its name in Spanish: Base de Información Isotópica de Tejidos Actuales Como Referencia Argentina). BITACORA holds isotopic data (δ18O, δ2H, δ13C, δ15N and δ34S values) from teeth (enamel and dentine) and keratin tissues (scalp hair, beard and fingernails) obtained from volunteers of known origin, as well as individual information of the donors (age, gender, biometrics, dietary preferences, and relocation history). BITACORA is associated with a tap water isotope database. Currently, we have 345 keratin, 273 teeth and 287 tap water samples gathered from across the country. We present preliminary analyses on the geographic distribution of these isotopic markers, and provide an overall discussion of the current status and future development of the databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano O Valenzuela
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Centro Científico Tecnológico-Tandil, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva Humana, Unidad de Enseñanza Universitaria Quequén, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, United States.
| | - Felipe Otero
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Centro Científico Tecnológico-Tandil, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva Humana, Unidad de Enseñanza Universitaria Quequén, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano L Loupias
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva Humana, Unidad de Enseñanza Universitaria Quequén, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marien Béguelin
- Museo de La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata-CONICET, Argentina
| | - Rocío García Mancuso
- Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata-CONICET, Argentina
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Shim JY, Lee HS, Shin WJ, Park S, Choi HB, Shin HS, Lee KS. The effects of dyes and bleaches on the sorption and desorption of trace elements in human hair. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:2349-2358. [PMID: 35960422 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01358-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Trace element concentrations and isotope ratios of hair reflect the blood levels at the time of hair formation, but can be affected by external factors such as dyeing, bleaching, and bathing. To investigate the effect of dyeing, bleaching, and bathing on hair, hair was immersed in tap water, and changes in trace element concentrations and the Sr isotope ratio were observed over time. During soaking, alkaline earth metals (Ca, Mg, and Sr) from tap water were gradually absorbed into the hair over time. After about one day, the adsorption capacity of hair reached a maximum and the reverse reaction started to occur. In contrast, alkaline metals (Na and K) behaved in reverse. In dyed and bleached hair, Na was significantly desorbed from the hair and gradually migrated to the water over time. The adsorption and desorption of trace elements were minimal in untreated original hair, but much higher in dyed and bleached hair. Thus, dyeing and bleaching appear to damage the hair surface structure and greatly promote the exchange of trace elements. The rapid exchange of trace elements, including Sr, between hair and tap water observed in this study indicates that hair samples can be easily contaminated during bathing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Yu Shim
- Research Center for Geochronology and Isotope Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, 28119, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Seul Lee
- Research Center for Geochronology and Isotope Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, 28119, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Jin Shin
- Research Center for Geochronology and Isotope Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghee Park
- Center for Research Equipment, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Bin Choi
- Research Center for Geochronology and Isotope Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Seon Shin
- Center for Research Equipment, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Sik Lee
- Research Center for Geochronology and Isotope Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, 28119, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea.
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Rodiouchkina K, Rodushkin I, Goderis S, Vanhaecke F. A comprehensive evaluation of sulfur isotopic analysis (δ 34S and δ 33S) using multi-collector ICP-MS with characterization of reference materials of geological and biological origin. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1240:340744. [PMID: 36641153 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur isotope ratios are often used as biogeochemical tracers to gain understanding of abiotic and biological processes involved in the sulfur cycle in both modern and ancient environments. There is however a lack of matrix-matched well-characterized isotopic reference materials that are essential for controlling the accuracy and precision. This study therefore focused on expanding and complementing the currently available sulfur isotope ratio data by providing the bulk sulfur isotopic composition, as determined using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), for a comprehensive set of commercially and/or readily available biological and geological reference materials. A total 7 isotopic reference materials and 41 elemental reference materials were studied. These reference materials include standards of terrestrial and marine animal origin, terrestrial plant origin, human origin, and geological origin. Different sample preparation protocols, including digestion and subsequent chromatographic isolation of S, were evaluated and the optimum approach selected for each matrix type. For achieving enhanced robustness, the sample preparation and sulfur isotope ratio measurements were done at two different laboratories for selected reference materials, while at one of the laboratories the measurements were additionally performed using two different MC-ICP-MS instruments. Determined δ34SVCDT and δ33SVCDT values compared well between the different laboratories, as well as between the different generation MC-ICP-MS instruments, and for standards that were previously characterized, our data are similar to literature values. The δ34SVCDT ranges determined for the different categories of the reference materials - terrestrial animal origin: +2 to +9‰, marine animal origin: +15 to +20‰, human origin: +6 to +10‰, terrestrial plant origin: -20 to +7‰, and geological origin: -12 to +21‰ - fit the expected values based on previous studies of similar types of matrices well. No significant mass-independent fractionation is observed when considering the expanded uncertainties for Δ33SV-CDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Rodiouchkina
- Ghent University, Department of Chemistry, Atomic and Mass Spectrometry (A&MS) Research Group, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281 - S12, 9000, Ghent, Belgium; Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Chemistry; Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC) Research Group, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ilia Rodushkin
- ALS Scandinavia AB, ALS Laboratory Group, Aurorum 10, S-977 75, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Steven Goderis
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Chemistry; Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC) Research Group, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frank Vanhaecke
- Ghent University, Department of Chemistry, Atomic and Mass Spectrometry (A&MS) Research Group, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281 - S12, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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Bataille CP, Ammer STM, Bhuiyan S, Chartrand MMG, St-Jean G, Bowen GJ. Multi-isotopes in human hair: A tool to initiate cross-border collaboration in international cold-cases. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275902. [PMID: 36288264 PMCID: PMC9603990 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Unidentified human remains have historically been investigated nationally by law enforcement authorities. However, this approach is outdated in a globalized world with rapid transportation means, where humans easily move long distances across borders. Cross-border cooperation in solving cold-cases is rare due to political, administrative or technical challenges. It is fundamental to develop new tools to provide rapid and cost-effective leads for international cooperation. In this work, we demonstrate that isotopic measurements are effective screening tools to help identify cold-cases with potential international ramifications. We first complete existing databases of hydrogen and sulfur isotopes in human hair from residents across North America by compiling or analyzing hair from Canada, the United States (US) and Mexico. Using these databases, we develop maps predicting isotope variations in human hair across North America. We demonstrate that both δ2H and δ34S values of human hair are highly predictable and display strong spatial patterns. Multi-isotope analysis combined with dual δ2H and δ34S geographic probability maps provide evidence for international travel in two case studies. In the first, we demonstrate that multi-isotope analysis in bulk hair of deceased border crossers found in the US, close to the Mexico-US border, help trace their last place of residence or travel back to specific regions of Mexico. These findings were validated by the subsequent identification of these individuals through the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner in Tucson, Arizona. In the second case study, we demonstrate that sequential multi-isotope analysis along the hair strands of an unidentified individual found in Canada provides detailed insights into the international mobility of this individual during the last year of life. In both cases, isotope data provide strong leads towards international travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément P. Bataille
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Saskia T. M. Ammer
- Geology & Geochemistry Cluster, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Co van Ledden Hulsebosch Centre (CLHC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shelina Bhuiyan
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Gilles St-Jean
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gabriel J. Bowen
- Department of Geology & Geophysics and Global Change & Sustainability Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America
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Rodiouchkina K, Rodushkin I, Goderis S, Vanhaecke F. Longitudinal isotope ratio variations in human hair and nails. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 808:152059. [PMID: 34863743 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Due to the straightforward and non-invasive sampling, ease of transport and long-term storage and access to time-resolved information, determination of element concentrations and isotope ratios in hair and nails finds increasing use. Multi-isotopic information preserved in keratinous tissues allows one to reveal dietary, physiological and environmental influences, but progress in this area is still limited by complicated and time-consuming analytical procedures and challenges in accuracy assessment. In this study, longitudinal distributions of δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, 207,208Pb/206Pb, δ66Zn, δ56Fe, δ65Cu, δ26Mg, and δ114Cd were obtained for hair and nails collected from nine subjects with different age, biological sex, diet and/or place of residence. For S and Zn, the distribution along hair strands revealed a trend towards a heavier isotopic signature from the proximal to the distal end, with a maximum difference within the hair of a single subject of 1.2‰ (Δ34S) and 0.4‰ (Δ66Zn). For Fe, Cu, Mg and Cd, a shift towards either a lighter (Cu) or heavier (Fe, Mg and Cd) isotopic composition is accompanied by increasing concentration towards the distal hair end, indicating possible isotope fractionation during deposition or external contamination with a different isotopic composition. Pb and Sr isotope ratios are relatively stable throughout the hair strands despite notable concentration increases towards the distal end, likely reflecting external contamination. The isotopic composition of Sr points to tap water as a probable main source, explaining the relative stability of the ratio for individuals from the same geographical location. For Pb, isotopic compositions suggest tap water and/or indoor dust as possible sources. Similar δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, 207,208Pb/206Pb, δ66Zn, δ56Fe, and δ65Cu observed for hair, fingernails and toenails sampled from the same individual suggest that keratinous tissues are conservative receivers of internal and external inputs and can be used complementary. Seasonal variation in δ34S, 207,208Pb/206Pb, and δ65Cu was observed for fingernails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Rodiouchkina
- Ghent University, Department of Chemistry, Atomic and Mass Spectrometry (A&MS) research group, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281 - S12, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ilia Rodushkin
- ALS Scandinavia AB, ALS Laboratory Group, Aurorum 10, S-977 75 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Steven Goderis
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Chemistry, Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC) research group, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frank Vanhaecke
- Ghent University, Department of Chemistry, Atomic and Mass Spectrometry (A&MS) research group, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281 - S12, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Lee HS, Shim JY, Shin WJ, Choi SH, Bong YS, Lee KS. Dietary homogenization and spatial distributions of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope ratios in human hair in South Korea. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256404. [PMID: 34415968 PMCID: PMC8378694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary homogenization has progressed worldwide due to westernization and the globalization of food production systems. We investigated dietary heterogeneity in South Korea by examining the spatial distribution of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) isotope ratios using 264 human hair samples. Overall, variation in isotope values was small, indicating low dietary heterogeneity. We detected differences in δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S values between administrative provinces and metropolitan cities; inter-regional differences were typically < 1 ‰. Values of δ34S were significantly lower in hair samples from inland regions relative to those from coastal locations, and a similar pattern was observed in δ15N values. Understanding geographic variation in δ34S and δ15N values in human hair is useful for provenancing humans in South Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Seul Lee
- Research Center for Geochronology and Isotope Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yu Shim
- Research Center for Geochronology and Isotope Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Jin Shin
- Research Center for Geochronology and Isotope Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hyun Choi
- Center for Research Equipment, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Sik Bong
- Center for Research Equipment, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Sik Lee
- Research Center for Geochronology and Isotope Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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