Calculation and Interpretation of Inter-laboratory Variation in Isotope Delta (δ) Values Using Real Interpretative Differences | Forensic Anthropology Main Navigation Main Content Sidebar Current Archives Search Submit Subscribe Early View Toggle search Register Login Search Toggle navigation Home Archives Vol. 4 No. 3 (2021) Research Articles Calculation and Interpretation of Inter-laboratory Variation in Isotope Delta (δ) Values Using Real Interpretative Differences Article Sidebar Requires Subscription or Fee PDF (USD 25) Requires Subscription or Fee HTML (USD 25) Requires Subscription or Fee Supplemental Information Published: Oct 20, 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5744/fa.2020.0050 Keywords: forensic anthropology, forensic science, stable isotope ratio analysis, accuracy, reliability, quality assurance Main Article Content Lesley A. Chesson Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Thuan H. Chau SNA International Amelia J. Edwards SNA International Gregory E. Berg Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Abstract Building on applications in anthropology, the use of stable isotope ratio analysis of human bone collagen to investigate an individual’s life history is becoming more commonplace in the forensic science community. Careful consideration of the resultant isotope delta (δ) values, particularly in regard to their accuracy and reliability, is paramount when introducing isotope data into the U.S. court system. In this study, we use a simple framework to calculate real interpretative difference (RID) values for collagen (“col”) and assess isotope data comparability for sample analysis (RIDanalysis) as well as sample preparation/analysis combined (RIDcombined). The RIDcombined values of 0.59‰ for δ13Ccol and 0.91‰ for δ15Ncol are similar to more complex, published calculations of inter-laboratory variability in the stable isotope analysis of skeletal remains, but they are easier to calculate and intuitively elegant. The RIDcombined as well as RIDanalysis values presented here allow users to examine multiple sources of inter-laboratory isotopic variation (preparation, analysis, and both together) in a two-step  process whereby a RID value is constructed and then tested. Implementation of this RID approach will provide surety for the legal and research communities in forensic applications of stable isotope ratio analysis. Article Details Issue Vol. 4 No. 3 (2021) Section Research Articles sidebar-links ABOUT Overview Editorial Board Publication Ethics Contact CONTRIBUTORS Author Guidelines Book Review Guidelines Open Access Policy Special Issue Proposals Submit an Article SUBSCRIBERS Subscribe/Renew Recommend to Your Librarian NEWS SIGN-UPNEWS SIGN-UP Tweets by @JForensicAnth Most Read What Are We Really Estimating in Forensic Anthropological Practice, Population Affinity or Ancestry? Introduction Estimating the Number of Individuals in a Large Commingled Assemblage Challenges to Identifications of the Cabanatuan Prison Camp Cemetery Remains Unidentified Bodies in the Mexican Context ISSN: 2573-5020 EISSN: 2573-5039   Main Office: 2046 NE Waldo Road Suite 2100 Gainesville, FL 32609 Phone: 352-392-1351 Email: journals@upress.ufl.edu Navigation Home Search Current Archives Subscribe