Provenancing an unidentified individual from stable isotope analysis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Provenancing an unidentified individual from stable isotope analysis
IRAS ID
350128
Contact name
Petrina Barnard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Duration of Study in the UK
7 years, 0 months, 11 days
Research summary
Objectives:
1. Assess the extent that stable isotope analysis of tooth enamel can differentiate geographical regions in modern humans when comparing tooth samples of known origin in Africa (n=300).
2. To generate a contemporary reference dataset for stable isotopes across Africa.
3. To identify the provenance of one unidentified individual from tooth fragments.Where:
This isotope project will be undertaken in the Human Osteology Research Lab, University of Kent. The stable isotope analysis will be conducted at the Universita' degli Studi di Modena. These are lockdown secure facilities under direct supervision by lab managers with access limited to the research team. The Histology lab at the University of Kent and the Geochemistry lab at the Universita' degli Studi di Modena are both located in university buildings (Univeristy of Kent- Marlowe building and Universita' degli Studi di Modena- Campi, 103 building) which out of hours are card access only.Importance:
a) Forensics- our project could provide a contemporary dataset for stable isotope analysis that could alter the wider applications of such analysis to modern populations.
b) Identification-This project could alter the way in which we combine methodological approaches when seeking to trace the origin or identity of an unknown individual.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
24/NS/0145
Date of REC Opinion
10 Dec 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion