Examination of amino acid hydrogen isotope measurements of scalp hair for region-of-origin studies.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Hydrogen isotope (δ² H) analysis of keratinaceous bulk tissues has been used in forensic science to reconstruct an individual's travel history or determine their region-of-origin. Here, we use a compound-specific approach to examine patterns of individual amino acid δ² H values in relation to those of local tap water, bulk scalp hair tissues, and region-of-origin.

Methods

We measured δ² H values of amino acids in anonymously collected scalp hair (n = 67) and tap water from 28 locations in the United States. Samples were hydrolyzed into their constituent amino acids, derivatized alongside in-house reference materials, and analyzed in triplicate using a GC-C-IRMS system.

Results

Non-essential amino acid (AA_NESS ) δ

SUBMITTER: Mancuso CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10518903 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature