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                            Library & Multimedia
 Traveling There and Back Again: A Fingernail's Tale
NCJ Number
              253939
Journal

*Journal of Forensic Sciences* Volume: 64 Issue: 1 Dated: 2019 Pages: 69-76
Author(s)
          Christy J. Mancuso;
                        James R. Ehleringer
Date Published

2019
Length
              8 pages
Annotation
              This study examined stable isotope biomarkers in human fingernails of travelers who ventured away from Salt Lake City, UT and subsequently returned.
Abstract
              The study focused on three case studies that involved 4 individual travelers, 2 paired travelers, and 1 traveler who repeatedly left and returned. These case studies examined the influences of dietary and drinking water inputs on fingernail stable isotope profiles for reconstructing travel histories. Stable isotope data were compared with theoretical and predictive models that laid the groundwork for anthropological and forensic geospatial reconstruction of travel histories. Drinking water inputs strongly influenced stable isotope profiles, and the patterns observed were consistent with reported travel histories. Observed fingernail stable isotope ratio data were consistent with modeled rates of stable isotope turnover and transition to expected values for the new environment. The results of this study further support the use of fingernail tissues for travel history reconstruction. (publisher abstract modified)
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2014-DN-BX-0003


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Report (Grant Sponsored)
                                Program/Project Description


  
  
        
  Award
        Fingernails as Recorders of Region-of-Origin and Travel History
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2019
    
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                Environmental influences
        Fingernail analysis
        Forensic sciences
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