Slashdot Mirror


Things You Drink Can Be Used To Track You

sciencehabit writes with an intriguing story about the potential of figuring out where people have been by examining their hair: "That's because water molecules differ slightly in their isotope ratios depending on the minerals at their source. Researchers found that water samples from 33 cities across the United State could be reliably traced back to their origin based on their isotope ratios. And because the human body breaks down water's constituent atoms of hydrogen and oxygen to construct the proteins that make hair cells, those cells can preserve the record of a person's travels. Such information could help prosecutors place a suspect at the scene of a crime, or prove the innocence of the accused." Or frame someone by slipping them water from every country on the terrorist watchlist.

18 of 202 comments (clear)

  1. subject goes here... by Keebler71 · · Score: 5, Funny
    Or frame someone by slipping them water from every country on the terrorist watchlist.

    That's tough to swallow...

    --
    "It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance." - Thomas Sowell
  2. Or... by aonic · · Score: 4, Funny

    Let's hope there aren't any murders near the Coca-cola bottling plant!

  3. Oh boy I can hear it now... by McNihil · · Score: 3, Funny

    My toilet telling asking me... "How was your trip to Tokyo?"

    or the next version that checks the stool... "Rosanna the cow hopes that she was a tasty treat!"

  4. nice to know we've solved all the world's problems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    so we now have the time to concentrate on tracking people by the water they drink.

    This is so super awesome, I'm going to move to a 3rd word slave state to ensure I get the most oppressive experience possible.

  5. Re:Wait, what? by pspahn · · Score: 5, Funny

    If your accuser says you were in Philly, and your hair says you were in Detroit, then you might be innocent of the crime in Philly, but you're still stuck in Detroit.

    --
    Someone flopped a steamer in the gene pool.
  6. Liquid Tin Foil by Enderandrew · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's why I only drink liquid tin foil.

    Who's laughing now?

    --
    http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
    1. Re:Liquid Tin Foil by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      That's why I only drink liquid tin foil.

      Who's laughing now?

      Magneto.

    2. Re:Liquid Tin Foil by jd · · Score: 2, Funny

      Then how did Doofenshmirtz attract a giant ball of aluminum foil with a giant magnet, then? Huh?

      --
      It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
    3. Re:Liquid Tin Foil by MobyDisk · · Score: 4, Funny

      That's because you are using substandard tin foil. The best tin foils are made of mahogany.

  7. Ever seen a Commie drink a glass of water? by PatPending · · Score: 3, Funny

    General Jack D. Ripper: Mandrake, have you ever seen a Commie drink a glass of water?

    Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Well, no, I can't say I have.

    --
    What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
    1. Re:Ever seen a Commie drink a glass of water? by balbus000 · · Score: 2, Funny

      I only drink the blood of my enemies.

      And occasionally a strawberry Yoo-hoo.

  8. amazingly enough by circletimessquare · · Score: 5, Funny

    researchers have used this technique to uncover the shocking truth that a small hamlet in southern maine is actually the residence of tens of millions of people

    http://maps.google.com/maps?q=poland%20spring

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  9. Can't catch me by flaming+error · · Score: 2, Funny

    Baldness FTW

  10. Re:Similar use recently by paiute · · Score: 2, Funny

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/england/bristol/10332975.stm

    Basically some bones from a German cathedral could be places as having lived in England due to isotopes in the teeth.

    This helped confirm the bones were of a 10th century English princess.

    It was that, and the label on the box which read "10th Century English Princess".

    --
    If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
  11. Airport variaty by Zumbs · · Score: 3, Funny

    The airport variaty: Has someone else given you water to drink?

    --
    The truth may be out there, but lies are inside your head
  12. Re:Wouldn't it be ironic by swanzilla · · Score: 2, Funny

    If this method could tell us if it rained on your wedding day?

    Nope...that would be a coincidence. Still. Fifteen years later.

  13. Re:Some BIG assumptions there.... like bottled wat by Tekfactory · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've never left the US, Canada and Mexico, but my hair would say I spend a little time each year in Speyside, Scotland drinking water that is anywhere from 12-18 years old, usually Macallan.

  14. Re:Wait, what? by stewbacca · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or he could shave his head.

    Leave Brittney alone!