Carbon test report on skeletal remains in Feb

The Office on Missing Persons says it expects the reports of carbon dating tests conducted on skeletal remains from Mannar mass grave to be presented next month.

Last week, six bone samples obtained from the Mannar mass grave, located at the Sathosa Building in Mannar were sent for radio carbon dating, to Beta Analytics in Florida, USA.

The samples were handed over by Consultant Judicial Medical Officer, Dr Saminda Rajapaksha who is heading the investigation team at the site.

Radio carbon dating calculates the amount of Carbon-14 in bone and teeth samples and establishes the approximate time when an animal or plant was alive.

It is a form of testing used in archaeology and forensic science for dating human remains.

In a statement, Chairman of the Office on Missing Persons Saliya Pieris said, the OMP observed the process of handing over the bone samples obtained from the Mannar grave for radio carbon dating, to Beta Analytics in Florida.

He said, the OMP took the decision to observe the handing over process in order to ensure the chain of custody, and to minimise concerns that have been raised in similar instances where human remains from other mass grave sites were sent for carbon dating.

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris said the OMP sees transparency as an important issue to ensure the confidence of families of the missing and disappeared and the general public, in the investigation of the Mannar mass grave.

Chairman of the Office on Missing Persons Saliya Pieris added the report from the laboratory, along with results from other examinations, will help address key questions, including if the human remains, numbering over 300 skeletons, are from one or multiple historical periods.

Courtesy : NEWSRADIO