Yes, it's used in archaeology as well! We didn't have such a global market in people born from 1952-1960's (the date range this DOE was estimated to be) so, a strontium isotope, stable, and oxygen isotope testing can reveal much and we need anything at this point - we have nothing on where to even begin with her.
Here are two articles written by journalist Carol Smith of the Seattle Post Intelligencer where the ME's at the time and Kathy Taylor were both interviewed as well as police, what was found in the room, what they did, etc.. The cipher in room 214 Who was Mary Anderson and why did she die?
Yes, it does depend on the type of test and the controls used during the testing. There is not a uniform procedure or what is called "best practices" for the isotope tests: isotope, strontium, and oxygen. So results can vary with improper (inexperienced) handling of the tests. Same in any crime lab, but we have better controls now as time has gone on to assure the accuracy. It's a shame these things don't progress quicker but the science moves so fast it's hard to stay at the same pace. (My personal belief is that those who invent or utilize these things should be the one's to develop a protocol by which to test and handle the tests and handling of samples and results. I think the onus is on them.)
I've been searching this area, Frewsburg NY, and the area code. Apparently there have been only a handful of industries in the area (not done entirely looking at those), and several prefix's, and an indication the area code is relatively new and most of this area before was loaded into Queen's interestingly enough. You might have really hit on something here, well done! Now, only question is: is Mary's dental plate a partial dental plate like this one or a full dental plate? This looks like both top and bottom...? (I think Mary's was only a top). Our KCME office has not divulged to the media/public definitively whether it's a full or partial plate and if there was a bottom partial or not. And with Kathy gone, I'm at a loss as to who to ask. I guess that's my next stop while I wrap up these other loose ends. Bravo again, Holly!
It might be reliable when looking at historical remains. We consume imported food and water in the modern age, which can skew results.
Yes, it's surprising to read that since 1999 the increase in imported food for the US is up 300%! Back in the day when Mary committed suicide we only imported 7-8.8% of our food and water :-( I guess after the year 2000 eating and drinking imported food and water grew exponentially due to being "trendy" and many people traveling internationally increased too - exposing us to different foods and types of water as well (sparkling, flavored, etc...). The skew might be negligible considering it wasn't so much a factor until after 2000. I guess doing something/anything since we've run out of tests other than genealogy at this stage...well that we have been made aware of at any rate... might give us another avenue to explore.
That is our hope. We would be grateful if you all spread the word.
Do you think a divorce might be a factor here?
Thanks for the notes!! Totally a possibility, the odds of her immigrating 100% alone aren't super high and there is definitely a big divorce taboo. Astute observation! Shame could definitely play a role too, especially as she's older, likely would have been tougher to remarry + her community here, job, etc may have been centered around marriage/family. Immigrant communities can get very insulated when outgroups are hostile/not super accepting, Persian communities aren't necessarily that way today but I wasn't alive back then so I have no idea what things were like.
I am quite certain Othram did a thorough job as always and it is her DNA that showed recent Persian or Afghan heritage, not Isotopes.
I think there's a pretty big difference between being 100% Persian/Afghan, and getting a small percentage of heritage in a DNA test. A lot of people get small amounts of historical carryover. I'm a Brit who's taken a few of these tests and I always get a decent amount of Scandinavian DNA, but it just means my DNA is in some ways similar to their reference panels from those countries, because of a lot of Vikings coming to live in north England. Also worth noting that anything less that 5% tends to be inaccurate noise.
I’m in no way an expert on genealogy, so both of you could totally be right. My two cents though is that, appearance alone, she looks unmistakeably Iranian/Persian to me. It’s the first thing I thought when I saw her face. I’ve spent a lot of time with Balkan/Southeastern European people as well and I doubt that would be it… but, JMO, I am not even remotely an expert, lol.
They wouldn't have announced it if it wasn't significant. Hence, they believe it's likely her culture, family etc, not just her DNA. It's all about identifying her. Let's say she also has trace amounts of Russian/Eastern European. Well, it wouldn't do any good to announce it, because she was not likely raised Russian or Eastern European.
