Some 150 skeletons from a forgotten 19th century Colorado Mental Asylum cemetery were unearthed during recent construction projects.  Skeletal materials from this and two prehistoric grave sites in Vietnam were analyzed for stable isotope ratios (e.g., Pb-208/206; Sr-87/86) and elemental compositions using MC-ICP-MS (Nu-Plasma HR) and XRF (PANalytical Epsilon-5).  A statistical analysis of these diverse provenance indicators using data from European Crusader, Native American and Bronze Age populations as well as the asylum's hospital records sheds light on the origins and mobility of these diverse populations and provides insights into sources of error in the forensic use of these methods.

Forensic determination of the provenance of skeletons from a lost 19<sup>th</sup> century mental asylum cemetery

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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Forensic determination of the provenance of skeletons from a lost 19th century mental asylum cemetery

Forensic determination of the provenance of skeletons from a lost 19^th century mental asylum cemetery