# Food Has No Borders Methodological Insights from the Forensic Isotopic Profile of a New York City Immigrant

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Published: Oct 28, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2020.0043
Keywords:
geolocation isotopes, dietary isotopes, Caribbean isoscapes, US isoscapes, food traditions

## Main Article Content

Rhonda L. Quinn
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work & Criminal Justice, Seton Hall University
Helen Alesbury
New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Ligia Ceja
San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office
Angela Soler
New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Linda Godfrey
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University

## Abstract

Isotopic analyses of human remains augment the biological profile with geolocation and dietary information, furthering efforts to identify unknown individuals from a forensic context. Here we test the methodological resolution of geolocation (δ18O, 87Sr/86Sr) and dietary (δ13C, δ15N) isotopes of one identified individual who immigrated to New York City from St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Lesser Antilles. Isotope-based geolocation estimates did not identify the childhood residency on SVG, but did point to New York City as a possible residence during early adulthood. The individual’s C3-based diet did not significantly change from childhood to early adulthood, illustrating the maintenance of food traditions after the immigration event. This study illustrates that further development of tissue-specific isoscapes incorporating bioavailable foods, drinking water, and cultural traditions is warranted to refine methodological resolution of isotopic applications in forensic anthropology.

## Article Details

Issue
Vol. 4 No. 3 (2021)
Section
Research Articles