Radiocarbon dating of dental tissues for determining time since death in forensic cases: a systematic review

Objective Radiocarbon analysis is used in forensic anthropology, and its application to dental tissues has become increasingly adopted. This systematic review aimed to assess the current state of knowledge on radiocarbon dating of dental tissues, focusing on methodological approaches, interpretative frameworks, and forensic applicability of enamel, dentin, and cementum. Methods PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched up to March 2024, and original studies involving radiocarbon analysis of dental tissues for forensic or anthropological purposes were included. Nine studies were found eligible and reviewed in detail. Results The selected studies encompassed over 270 individual teeth, primarily molars, and were conducted using accelerator mass spectrometry combined with calibration curves. Enamel yielded the most accurate results, with a mean absolute error of ± 1.3–1.9 years for post-1963 formation. Dentin and cementum, although metabolically active and subject to appositional changes, contributed useful complementary information but introduced potential chronological discrepancies. Key limitations included small sample sizes, practical constraints in separating dental tissues, and the impact of geographic and dietary variability on radiocarbon interpretation. Conclusions Radiocarbon dating of dental tissues, particularly enamel, offers a reliable means of estimating time-related biological parameters in forensics. Nonetheless, its effectiveness is influenced by sample integrity, the specific dental component analyzed, and the availability of contextual data, such as geographic origin. Integration with stable isotopes and genetic analyses is recommended to enhance the robustness of forensic identification. Future studies should prioritize larger sample sizes and focus on whole-tooth analyses to reflect real-world forensic constraints.