Forensic Radiocarbon Dating of Human Remains

Abstract

Radiocarbon dating is a valuable tool for the forensic examination of human remains in answering questions as to whether the remains are of forensic or medico-legal interest or archaeological in date. The technique is also potentially capable of providing the year of birth and/or death of an individual. Atmospheric radiocarbon levels are currently enhanced relative to the natural level due to the release of large quantities of radiocarbon (14C) during the atmospheric nuclear weapons testing of the 1950s and 1960s. This spike, or “bomb-pulse,” can, in some instances, provide precision dates to within 1–2 calendar years. However, atmospheric 14C activity has been declining since the end of atmospheric weapons testing in 1963 and is likely to drop below the natural level by the mid-twenty-first century, with implications for the application of radiocarbon dating to forensic specimens.

An interdisciplinary forensic approach for human remains identification and missing persons investigations

“…Unstable radioisotopes have a distinct radioactive decay rate and half-life. They can occur naturally, or as a result of artificially altered atoms from nuclear testing or accidents (Brock & Cook, 2017). Traditionally, forensic geochemists have performed radiocarbon dating analysis of the unstable 14 C isotope using accelerator mass spectrometry due to its precision in dating organic archeological materials up to approximately 50,000 years of age (Korlevi c et al, 2018).…”

“…Bomb curve radiocarbon ( 14 C) dating is used to determine the age of modern remains by comparing the 14 C level to the artificial carbon level created as a result of above ground testing of nuclear weapons during the 1950s and 1960s (Alkass et al, 2011;Johnstone-Belford & Blau, 2020). Estimation of year of birth relies on the low carbon turnover in tooth enamel and petrous temporal bone during an individual's lifetime (Brock & Cook, 2017;Pilli et al, 2018), with error rates particularly low for tooth enamel (Alkass et al, 2011(Alkass et al, , 2013Kondo-Nakamura et al, 2011;Spalding et al, 2005). For the estimation of date of death, the trabecular bone is considered more dependable due to its faster rate of collagen turnover and lower lag time in bones, especially for individuals who died at an advanced age (Ubelaker et al, 2015;Ubelaker & Parra, 2011).…”

Suspect graveyard burial (South Armagh, N. Ireland): Combined search, forensic anthropology and radiocarbon dating

“…Pringle et al [1] on the osteoarchaeological characterisation of skeletal remains e.g. Nikita [2] and on the age-dating of such, especially by radiocarbon: see Brock & Cook [3] are abundant in the literature.…”

“…Graveyards are not uncommon sites for clandestine burials, see Kaplan [8], sometimes as a result of homicide [9]. Brock & Cook p.4 [3] recount how radiocarbon dating "can be vital in cases of accidental discovery of human remains and where little contextual information is available and police need to investigate whether the remains are of forensic interest or archaeological in origin". Another study by Cook et al [10] encompasses the findings of a forensic investigation, including the analyses of skeletal remains and the results from radiocarbon dating and isotopes.…”