Development and application of a method for ivory dating by analyzing radioisotopes to distinguish legal from illegal ivory.

The age determination of elephant ivory provides necessary and crucial information for all criminal prosecution authorities enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The knowledge of the age of ivory allows to distinguish between pre-convention, hence legal material and ivory deriving from recent, illegal poaching incidents. The commonly applied method to determine the age of ivory is radiocarbon dating in the form of bomb pulse dating, which however will fade out soon.

Dating of ivory from 20th century by determination of ¹⁴C by the direct absorption method.

We aim to date ivory samples by determination of the concentration of (14)C in the sample. However, such data do not always represent unambiguous evidence. In these cases other nuclides have to be additionally analyzed which causes additional costs.

Dating ivory by determination of 14C, 90Sr and 228/232Th.

A method is described to determine the time of death of elephants. This is accomplished by analysis of the radionuclides 14C, 90Sr and 228/232Th in known samples of ivory, and in samples of unknown age. The reliability of this method is considerably increased by multi nuclide analysis.

The activity ratio of 228Th to 228Ra in bone tissue of recently deceased humans: a new dating method in forensic examinations.

Reliable determination of time since death in human skeletons or single bones often is limited by methodically difficulties. Determination of the specific activity ratio of natural radionuclides, in particular of 232Th (Thorium), 228Th and 228Ra (Radium) seems to be a new appropriate method to calculate the post mortem interval. These radionuclides are incorporated by any human being, mainly from food.

Age assessment of ivory by analysis of 14C and 90Sr to determine whether there is an antique on hand.

A method is described to determine whether an elephant has died before 1955 or not. This is accomplished by determination of the radionuclides (14)C and (90)Sr in artifacts made of ivory. The reliability of this method is considerably increased by double nuclide analysis and therefore is applicable for judicial expert opinions.