Stable Isotope Analysis in Forensic Anthropology: A Systematic Review of Archaeological and Medico-legal Applications

Abstract

Stable isotope analysis has emerged as one of the most influential analytical approaches in forensic anthropology and bioarcheology, providing valuable insights into human diet, mobility, geographic origin, migration patterns, and life history reconstruction. By examining the isotopic composition of biological tissues such as bone, teeth, hair, and nails, researchers can identify environmental and dietary signatures that become incorporated into the human body during life. Stable isotopes of carbon (δ¹³C), nitrogen (δ¹⁵N), oxygen (δ¹⁸O), hydrogen (δ²H), sulfur (δ³⁴S), strontium (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr), and lead has become central to both archaeological investigations and medico-legal casework because of their ability to preserve information relating to subsistence strategies, geographic residence, migration history, and population movement. ¹˒²˒³˒⁴ This systematic review evaluates the application of stable isotope analysis in forensic anthropology with particular emphasis on the comparative use of isotopic methods in archaeological and medico-legal contexts. The review identifies the principal isotopic techniques employed in the analysis of human remains and examines how these approaches contribute to individual identification, provenance estimation, dietary reconstruction, and temporal life-history assessment. ¹˒⁵ Archaeological studies have traditionally used isotopic evidence to investigate long-term population dynamics, social organization, migration, and subsistence patterns, whereas forensic investigations increasingly employ isotopic signatures to narrow the geographic origin of unidentified decedents and support human identification efforts. ²˒³˒⁴˒⁶ The review further evaluates the accuracy, reliability, and interpretative challenges associated with isotopic analyses. Particular attention is given to issues of environmental variability, isotopic overlap between geographic regions, tissue turnover rates, diagenetic alteration, baseline uncertainty, and methodological differences among laboratories that may influence interpretation and comparability of results.⁴˒⁷˒⁸ The integration of multiple isotopic systems and the combination of isotopic evidence with anthropological, archaeological, genetic, and contextual information are shown to improve interpretative robustness and reduce analytical uncertainty.¹˒²˒³˒⁴ This review also assesses methodological consistency across published studies, including sample selection strategies, preparation protocols, analytical instrumentation, quality control procedures, and reporting standards. Although significant advances have been achieved in isotopic mapping, multi-isotope approaches, and forensic provenance, substantial variation remains in analytical procedures and interpretative frameworks, limiting direct comparison among investigations. ⁷˒⁸. The evidence demonstrates that stable isotope analysis represents a powerful complementary tool in forensic anthropology, bridging archaeological and medico-legal applications while contributing to more comprehensive reconstructions of human life histories and population movements. Continued methodological standardization, improved isotopic baseline datasets, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for maximizing the scientific and forensic value of isotopic evidence in future research and casework.