14C INTERCOMPARISON EXERCISE on BONES and IVORY SAMPLES: IMPLICATIONS for FORENSICS

G. Quarta, M. Molnár, I. Hajdas, L. Calcagnile, I. Major, A. J.T. Jull

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

The application of accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14C) dating in forensics is made possible by the use of the large excursion of the 14C concentration in the post-WWII terrestrial atmosphere due to nuclear testing as a reference curve for data calibration. By this approach high-precision analyses are possible on samples younger than ∼70 years. Nevertheless, the routine, widespread application of the method in the practice of forensics still appears to be limited by different issues due to possible complex interpretation of the results. We present the results of an intercomparison exercise carried out in the framework of an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) CRP-Coordinated Research Project between three AMS laboratories in Italy, Hungary, and Switzerland. Bone and ivory samples were selected with ages spanning from background (>50 ka) to 2018. The results obtained allow us to assess the high degree of reproducibility of the results and the remarkable consistency of the experimental determinations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)533-544
Number of pages12
JournalRadiocarbon
Volume63
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2021

Keywords

  • bomb-peak dating
  • bones
  • forensics
  • intercomparison

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Archaeology
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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