Abstract
Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) is a spectroscopic technique that provides the researcher with the elemental composition of a given target material. In this paper, we illustrate the utility of PIXE analysis in two forensic contexts: (1) case of cremation in which the nature of the remains is questioned and (2) cases of death by gunshot wound. In the first case, elemental analysis by PIXE reveals that the purported cremated remains are not bone. The last two cases show that radiopaque metallic residue embedded in bone is composed of lead from a projectile.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 37-41 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Forensic Science International |
Volume | 125 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 24 2002 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cremation
- Elemental analysis
- Forensic anthropology
- GSW
- PIXE