Radioanalytical method developments to determine polonium-210 and radium-226 activities in bone samples to be used in forensic studies

210Pb dating on human skeletal remains has been proposed in forensic studies for the determination of time since death (TSD) or post-mortem intervals. 210Pb and its granddaughter 210Po enter the human body from two main sources, direct ingestion in foodstuffs and the decay of ingested 226Ra which is retained in the bone and bony tissue [1]. One of the methods in dating human bones is based on the decay unsupported 210Pb (total 210Pb minus supported 210Pb) since the time of death. Total 210Pb can be determined from 210Pb granddaughter, 210Po, and supported 210Pb from 210Pb grandparent, 226Ra. A reliable and sensitive method of determining 210Po and 226Ra activities in bone samples is required in order to produce reliable postmortem intervals. A method was developed, using pig bone samples, to analyse these radionuclides by alpha spectrometry. In this presentation, the methodology employed is discussed, along with some of the difficulties encountered and how these were overcome.

Keywords

Polonium 210, Radium 226, Skeleton, Age estimation, Decay, Death, Spectroscopy, Crime detection

Citation

Zawadzki, A., Goralewski, J., Heijnis, H., Fierro, D., Lee, G., Watling, J., & May, C. (2012). Radioanalytical method developments to determine polonium-210 and radium-226 activities in bone samples to be used in forensic studies. Paper presented to the 12th South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference (SPERA 2012), Sydney, Australia, Tuesday 16 October – Friday 19 October 2012 . Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, (pp. 26).

URI

https://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/14613

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