Kenneth Pye
Associates
Ltd.
Scientific Research,
Consultancy and Investigations
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Isotope and trace element analysis of human teeth and bones for forensic purposes
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Abstract Pye, K. (2004). Isotope and trace element analysis of human teeth and bones for forensic purposes. In: Pye, K. and Croft, D. (Eds.) Forensic Geoscience - Principles, Techniques and Applications. Geological Society Special Publication No. 232, Geological Society Publishing House, Bath, pp. 215-236. Isotopic and elemental concentration data can be extremely useful in the identification of human remains. Archaeological, ecological and forensic investigations to date have primarily made use of 87Sr/86Sr, 143Nd/144Nd, 18O/16O and trace element data obtained from analysis of carbonate-hydroxyapatite in bones and teeth, and/or 12C/13C, 14N/15N, 18O/16O and 35S/37S ratios in bone collagen. However, a wide range of other chemical parameters are potentially useful for inter-sample comparison and environmental characterization, and increasing attention is being given to hair, nail and skin tissues which provide dietary and environmental information over shorter time periods than bones and teeth. This paper reviews some of the principles which underlie such work and the current position with regard to modern forensic applications. Contact us to obtain a reprint of this paper |
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