Complexities in the Use of Bomb-Curve Radiocarbon to Determine Time Since Death of Human Skeletal Remains

Journal Article · Tue Apr 26 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Forensic Science Communications

OSTI ID:878206

Ubelaker, D H; Buchholz, B A

Atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons during the 1950s and early 1960s doubled the level of radiocarbon ({sup 14}C) in the atmosphere. From the peak in 1963, the level of {sup 14}CO{sub 2} has decreased exponentially with a mean life of about 16 years, not due to radioactive decay, but due to mixing with large marine and terrestrial carbon reservoirs. Since radiocarbon is incorporated into all living things, the bomb-pulse is an isotopic chronometer of the past half century. The absence of bomb radiocarbon in skeletonized human remains generally indicates a date of death before 1950. Comparison of the radiocarbon values with the post 1950 bomb-curve may also help elucidate when in the post 1950 era, the individual was still alive. Such interpretation however, must consider the age at death of the individual and the type of tissue sampled.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 878206
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JRNL-212160
• Journal Information: Forensic Science Communications, Journal Name: Forensic Science Communications Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BOMBS
CARBON
DEATH
DECAY
LIFETIME
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
TESTING