Old Bones.

[sandyRoe]

Some years ago human remains were unearthed during excavation work on a building site in West Belfast.
For much of The Troubles the land had been used as an army base and before that it was a football pitch.
If murder was done it happened at least 50 years ago and maybe far longer. Whoever was responsible is probably now beyond the reach of justice.
Is there any scientific way of determining the age of the victim and when they were buried?

[davebro]

yes - a forensic pathologist could do it.

[Zacs-Master]

Mitochondrial DNA evidence could be used.

[sandyRoe]

I saw the initial reports about the find but missed any subsequent ones. I suppose if the bones had been there for a very long time the story would no longer be considered newsworthy.

[wolf63]

Yes. They can also take a sample from the bones to do a DNA analysis to identify the remains.

[MargoTester]

I guess if they could identify the bones of Richard111 from 1485 they should be able to manage bones fron around 50 years ago

[bednobs]

also, the size might help

[sandyRoe]

From memory, the bones were those of an adult male.
Belfast expanded rapidly in the 19th Century so it's possible the body was interred when the surrounding area was countryside.