Multi-isotopes in human hair: A tool to initiate cross-border collaboration in international cold-cases

• NCJ Number: 306088
• Journal: PLoS ONE Volume: 17 Issue: 10 Pages: e0275902
• Author(s): Clément P. Bataille; Saskia T. M. Ammer; Shelina Bhuiyan; Michelle M. G. Chartrand; Gilles St-Jean; Gabriel J. Bowen
• Date Published: October 2022
• Grant Number(s): 2016-MU-BX-K110; 15PNIJ-21-GK-02192-MUMU
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) FY17; Forensic Technology Center of Excellence, Fiscal Year 2021

Annotation

This study developed a framework to use multi-isotope geolocation from human hair to assist in solving international cold cases.

Abstract

The authors first analyzed and/or compiled 14s values from hair of residents of Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Databases were developed to produce maps predicting 6 2 H and 634 s values in bulk hair of deceased undocumented border crossers who died at the Mexico-U.S. border and were later identified through the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner. The authors compared the predicted geographic origins from their hair analysis.  (Published abstract provided)