Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Johnstone-Belford, E.C.
• Jacobsen, G.
• Fallon, S.J.
• Dipnall, J.F.
• Blau, S.

Titel

The effects of diet and beauty products on the uptake and storage of 14C in hair and nails: ramifications for the application of bomb pulse dating to forensic anthropological casework

Ist Teil von

• Forensic science international, 2023-08, Vol.349, p.111771-111771, Article 111771

Ort / Verlag

Elsevier B.V

Erscheinungsjahr

2023

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Radiocarbon dating is a useful tool in the examination of unknown human remains. Recent studies have shown that the analysis of hair and nail samples can provide a highly accurate estimation of the year of death (YOD). However, little research has examined factors that may influence the uptake and storage of 14C in these tissues, such as diet, or the use of beauty products. This study measured the level of 14C in human hair and nail samples collected from living individuals to determine whether diet, and the use of hair dye or nail polish, has a significant impact on the estimation of YOD. The results of this study showed that diet did not appear to impact the radiocarbon content in human hair and nail, and thus should not be considered a limitation when analysing samples obtained from unidentified human remains. The use of nail polish, and in the majority of cases, hair dye, did not significantly impact the 14C concentration in nails and hair. While the results of this study are preliminary, they suggest that in most cases, both hair and nail can be successfully analysed using radiocarbon dating to estimate an individual’s YOD. However, best practice should involve the analysis of multiple tissue types, to minimise any error that may be introduced as a result of the decedent’s use of beauty products. •The radiocarbon analysis of hair and nail can assist in the investigation of unidentified human remains.•Initial data suggest that an individuals diet does not impact the uptake of 14C significantly.•Lifestyle factors such as the use of hair dye and the use of nail polish may not impact the 14C level in hair and nail samples.