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Year of birth determination using radiocarbon dating of dental enamel
Author(s) -
Buchholz B. A.,
Spalding K. L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
surface and interface analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1096-9918
pISSN - 0142-2421
DOI - 10.1002/sia.3093
Subject(s) - radiocarbon dating , enamel paint , accelerator mass spectrometry , tooth enamel , human tooth , graphite , archaeology , dental enamel , dentistry , geology , mineralogy , materials science , history , metallurgy , medicine
Abstract Radiocarbon dating is typically an archaeological tool rather than a forensic one. Recently, however, we have shown that the amount of radiocarbon present in tooth enamel, as a result of nuclear bomb testing during the cold war, is a remarkably accurate indicator of when a person is born. Enamel isolated from human teeth is processed to form graphite, and carbon‐14 ( 14 C) levels are measured using accelerator mass spectrometry. Since there is no turnover of enamel after it is formed, 14 C levels in the enamel represent 14 C levels in the atmosphere at the time of its formation. In this paper, we describe the strategy used to determine the date of birth of an individual based on radiocarbon levels in tooth enamel, focusing on the methodology of this strategy. Year of birth information can significantly assist police investigators when the identity of a deceased individual is unknown. In such cases, police will try to match particulars of the unidentified individual, which is often only gender and/or an estimate of age, with particulars from missing persons lists. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.