The impact of age at death on the lag time of radiocarbon values in human bone

Ubelaker, Douglas H.; Thomas, Christian; Olson, Jacqueline E.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.03.024

Cited by 23 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…If this initial analysis proves to be modern, a second sample of a tissue with a different formation/remodeling pattern can be analyzed to enable proper placement on the bomb-curve. Since remodeling rates slow with advancing age, it is important to compensate for the estimated age at death [18].…”

Section: Time Since Deathmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fragment analysis in forensic anthropology

Ubelaker

2020

Forensic Sciences Research

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Anthropological analysis of fragmentary evidence can be challenging but diverse methods allow substantial information to be gleaned. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy enables determination if bone and/or tooth tissue is present. Protein radioimmunoassay or DNA analysis can establish the species present. Histological analysis can assist in species determination and reveal information about thermal changes. Radiocarbon analysis with special reference to the modern bomb-curve can clarify the postmortem interval. Anthropologists should also be aware that DNA analysis not only can enable positive identification but assist in the evaluation of sex and age at death.

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Section: Time Since Deathmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fragment analysis in forensic anthropology

Ubelaker

2020

Forensic Sciences Research

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“…As most nuclear weapons testing was carried out in the northern hemisphere large gradients in radiocarbon activity existed from north to south and high to low latitudes during the early bomb period (mid 1950s to late 1960s) (Hua et al 2013). However, due to wind currents and related factors, variations in global environmental 14 C values are fairly minimal throughout most of the bomb period (Ubelaker et al 2015).…”

Section: Forensic Radiocarbon Dating Of Human Remainsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The prolonged delay periods of up to 20-30 years between radiocarbon measurements of collagen from individuals with known dates of death and atmospheric levels at the same time (e.g. Stenhouse & Baxter, 1977;Wild et al, 2000;Ubelaker et al 2015 and references therein) have led some to conclude that bone collagen is not a suitable tissue for time of death analysis. However, many of the studies either do not state which bone was analysed, or sampled femoral cortical bone, which is now known to have a long turnover time.…”

Section: Estimating Date Of Deathmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To investigate the time lag observed in bone collagen samples, Ubelaker et al (2015) compared radiocarbon measurements on bone collagen from 39 individuals from several studies (Hedges et al, 2007;Hodgins 2009;Ubelaker and Parra, 2011;Wild et al 2000) with published atmospheric values corresponding to the geographical area in which each individual was located. All bones analysed were either described as cortical (femur) or undefined 'bone', and the radiocarbon measurements were analysed for each decade of life.…”

Section: Estimating Date Of Deathmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although all atmospheric nuclear weapons tests were undertaken in the northern hemisphere, global variation in atmospheric radiocarbon activity is now minimal due to wind currents and related factors (Ubelaker et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Forensic Radiocarbon Dating of Human Remains

Brock

2017

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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.

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Forensic Anthropology

Ubelaker¹

2018

Biological Anthropology of the Human Skeleton

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The impact of age at death on the lag time of radiocarbon values in human bone

Cited by 23 publications

References 11 publications

Fragment analysis in forensic anthropology

Fragment analysis in forensic anthropology

Forensic Radiocarbon Dating of Human Remains

Forensic Anthropology

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