A Review of Bomb Pulse Dating and its Use in the Investigation of Unidentified Human Remains.

Eden Centaine Johnstone-Belford, Soren Blau

Journal: Journal of forensic sciences 2021;65(3):676-685

PMID: 31688960

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Abstract

In cases where there is limited antemortem information, the examination of unidentified human remains as part of the investigation of long-term missing person's cases is a complex endeavor and consequently requires a multidisciplinary approach. Bomb pulse dating, which involves the analysis and interpretation of 14C concentration, is one technique that may assist in these investigations by providing an estimate of year of birth and year of death. This review examines the technique of bomb pulse dating and its use in the identification of differentially preserved unknown human remains. Research and case studies implementing bomb pulse dating have predominantly been undertaken in the Northern Hemisphere and have demonstrated reliable and accurate results. Limitations were, however, identified throughout the literature. These included the small sample sizes used in previous research/case studies which impacted on the statistical significance of the findings, as well as technique-specific issues. Such limitations highlight the need for future research.

Address: Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, 65 Kavanagh St., Southbank, Vic., 3006, Australia.; Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, 65 Kavanagh St., Southbank, Vic., 3006, Australia.

DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14227

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MeSH Terms: Age Determination by Skeleton, Age Determination by Teeth, Aspartic Acid, Body Remains, Bombs, Bone Remodeling, Cancellous Bone, Carbon Radioisotopes, Collagen, Cortical Bone, DNA, Dental Enamel, Diet, Explosions, Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Genetics, Geography, Hair, Humans, Lens, Crystalline, Mass Spectrometry, Nails, Radiometric Dating, Time Factors