Instrumental neutron activation analysis of rib bone samples and of bone reference materials

The instrumental neutron activation analysis method was used for the determ ination of trace elements in rib bone samples taken from autopsies of accid ent victims. The elements Br, Ca, Cl, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr, Rb, and Zn were determined in cortical tissues by using short and long irradiations w ith thermal neutron flux of the IEA-R1m nuclear reactor. The reference mate rials NIST SRM 1400 Bone Ash and NIST SRM 1486 Bone Meal were also analyzed in order to evaluate the precision and the accuracy of the results. It was verified that lyophilization is the most convenient process for drying bon e samples because it does not cause any element losses. Comparisons were ma de between the results obtained for rib samples and the literature values a s well as between the results obtained for different ribs from a single ind ividual and for bones from different individuals.