TY - JOUR
T1 - The importance of bone sample selection when using radiocarbon analysis in cases of unidentified human remains
AU - Johnstone Belford, Eden
AU - Fallon, Stewart J.
AU - Dipnall, Joanna F.
AU - Blau, Soren
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge all donors and the University of Technology (UTS) Body Donation Program, as well as UTS and Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) staff who assisted with aspects of data collection. We would also like to thank Rebecca Esmay, Eric Usher, and Rachel Wood from the Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory (ANU) for sample preparation and advice. We are grateful for discussions with Dr Richard Fernandez (La Trobe University) regarding bone turnover. Author E J-B acknowledges funding provided by the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge all donors and the University of Technology (UTS) Body Donation Program, as well as UTS and Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) staff who assisted with aspects of data collection. We would also like to thank Rebecca Esmay, Eric Usher, and Rachel Wood from the Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory (ANU) for sample preparation and advice. We are grateful for discussions with Dr Richard Fernandez (La Trobe University) regarding bone turnover. Author E J-B acknowledges funding provided by the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine .
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - The radiocarbon (14C) analysis of skeletonised human remains can provide vital information regarding the time since death. This study analysed the 14C content in both cortical and trabecular bone from the femur and rib of 18 human remains donated to the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research. To determine the most appropriate bone to sample for 14C analysis when estimating the time since death, differences in turnover time between the bone types, and the difference between environmental 14C during the year of death (YOD) and the level of 14C found within the bone (i.e., the lag time) were examined. Overall, the average lag time for all donors was 25 years, with the cortical bone from femur samples providing the largest lag time (39 years) and the trabecular bone from rib samples containing the lowest level of 14C (most modern), with an average lag time of 13 years. The results of this study suggest that in cases of unidentified human remains, the analysis of trabecular bone from a rib may be preferred sample, as this bone contains the most recent 14C, and can provide an estimate of both the time since death, and a broad approximation of YOD.
AB - The radiocarbon (14C) analysis of skeletonised human remains can provide vital information regarding the time since death. This study analysed the 14C content in both cortical and trabecular bone from the femur and rib of 18 human remains donated to the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research. To determine the most appropriate bone to sample for 14C analysis when estimating the time since death, differences in turnover time between the bone types, and the difference between environmental 14C during the year of death (YOD) and the level of 14C found within the bone (i.e., the lag time) were examined. Overall, the average lag time for all donors was 25 years, with the cortical bone from femur samples providing the largest lag time (39 years) and the trabecular bone from rib samples containing the lowest level of 14C (most modern), with an average lag time of 13 years. The results of this study suggest that in cases of unidentified human remains, the analysis of trabecular bone from a rib may be preferred sample, as this bone contains the most recent 14C, and can provide an estimate of both the time since death, and a broad approximation of YOD.
KW - Bomb pulse dating
KW - Bone turnover
KW - Forensic anthropology
KW - Radiocarbon dating
KW - Time since death
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85139840620&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111480
DO - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111480
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85139840620
SN - 0379-0738
VL - 341
JO - Forensic Science International
JF - Forensic Science International
M1 - 111480
ER -