Choosing the best method for radiocarbon dating depends on the quantity of available sample or, in the case of expensive materials, how much of it you can afford to be destroyed. AMS dating, for example, involves burning a sample to convert it to graphite.
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(a) small sample size needed (as little as 20 mg) thus it is recommended for radiocarbon dating of blood particles, grains, seeds, small artifacts, or very expensive or rare materials;
(b) takes less time than radiometric method (less than 24 hours);
(c) higher precision than radiometric techniques.
AMS dating is an advanced method compared to radiometric dating using liquid scintillation counters (LSC). Fees for AMS analyses are higher.
Beta Analytic no longer provides radiometric dating using LSC.
