Dating human skeletal remains: Investigating the viability of measuring the equilibrium between ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb as a means of estimating the post-mortem interval

详细信息    查看全文

• 作者：Swift ; Benjamin
• 关键词：Time of death ; Skeletal remains ; Dating ; ²¹⁰Pb ; ²¹⁰Po
• 刊名：Forensic Science International
• 出版年：1998
• 出版时间：November 30, 1998
• 年：1998
• 卷：98
• 期：1-2
• 页码：119-126
• 全文大小：58.9 K

文摘

Estimating the post-mortem interval in skeletal remains is a notoriously difficult task; forensic pathologists often rely heavily upon experience in recognising morphological appearances. Previous techniques have involved measuring physical or chemical changes within the hydroxyapatite matrix, radiocarbon dating and ⁹⁰Sr dating, though no individual test has been advocated. Within this paper it is proposed that measuring the equilibrium between two naturally occurring radio-isotopes, ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb, and comparison with post-mortem examination samples would produce a new method of dating human skeletal remains. Possible limitations exist, notably the effect of diagenesis, time limitations and relative cost, though this technique could provide a relatively accurate means of determining the post-mortem interval. It is therefore proposed that a large study be undertaken to provide a calibration scale against which bones uncovered can be dated.