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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 2004; v. 232; p. 215-236;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.2004.232.01.20
© 2004 Geological Society of London

Isotope and trace element analysis of human teeth and bones for forensic purposes

Kenneth Pye1,2

1 Kenneth Pye Associates Ltd, Crowthorne Enterprise Centre, Crowthorne Business Estate, Old Woking Road, Crowthorne RG45 6AW, UK k.pye{at}kpal.co.uk
2 Department of Geology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham TW20 0EX UK

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 intersample 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.





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