Dissertations / Theses: 'Forensic taphonomy'

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Rogers, Christopher. "Dating death : forensic taphonomy and the postmortem interval." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/210852.

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Determining the postmortem interval (PMI) remains one of the most important but challenging factors to establish in a suspicious death investigation. Unfortunately, as time passes current methods lose accuracy and only allow investigators to approximate how long ago death occurred. Bodies interred in clandestine graves prove particularly challenging due to an abundance of variables that need to be taken into consideration. Due to the problems associated with determining the PMI of buried remains this study will utilise macroscopic, microscopic, molecular, chemical and microbiological analyses to systematically document the decompositional changes to human hair and porcine cartilage and bone in a burial environment. The aim was to correlate decompositional changes with time and develop new methods for estimating the PMI of remains found in this context. Whole trotters (from which the cartilage was harvested) exhibited decompositional changes including darkening of the dermis, skin slippage, liquefaction of soft tissues and complete skeletonisation. The decompositional changes to cartilage included a loss of cartilage covering articular facets, changes in colour and texture, formation of orthorhombic crystals, a change in surface pH and colonisation by bacteria. The bacteria found on the cartilage surface were in close proximity to the crystals and when cultured on a B-41 medium were found to precipitate crystals of the same morphology and chemical composition to those found on the cartilage surface. Three species of bacteria (Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Acinetobacter iwoffii and Grimontia hollisae) were identified based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of their fatty acids and one species (Comamonas sp.) was identified by DNA analysis. Formation of crystals on goat and cow cartilage proved that this was not a porcine specific phenomenon. Human hair exhibited a gradual degradation over time but this was dependent on the characteristics of the burial environment. Decompositional changes included colonisation by fungi, erosions to the cortical surface and formation of tunnels and breaks to the hair shaft. Two fungal species (Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium sp.) were identified based on DNA analysis of fungal ribosomal (rDNA) internally transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. The Penicillium sp. was linked with fungal tunnelling of hair. Bone exhibited little modification over time but changes were observed. These included a change in colour of the cortical surface, a change in colour and gradual loss of bone marrow and erosions, cracking and flaking of the cortical bone. Fungi were found to colonise both the bone marrow and bone surface. Whole piglets were buried to document the time period taken to reach skeletonisation. This data was used as a correction factor and combined with the bone results to give an overall time period for the decomposition changes observed. The results of this study suggest that the decompositional changes to cartilage could be used to determine the postmortem interval of buried remains. However, the degradation of hair and bone was too variable to be of use in this context.

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Haglund, William D. "Applications of taphonomic models to forensic investigations /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/6424.

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Bolton, Shawna N. "Forensic taphonomy : investigating the post mortem biochemical properties of cartilage and fungal succession as potential forensic tools." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/579577.

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Post mortem interval (PMI – the time elapsed since death and discovery) is important to medicolegal investigations. It helps to construct crucial time lines and assists with the identification of unknown persons by inclusion or exclusion of a suspect’s known movements. Accurate methodologies for establishing PMI are limited to about 48-hours. Such methods involve use of increasing levels of potassium in vitreous humour, and algor mortis. This study is two-fold. Firstly, it explores the biomolecular changes in degrading porcine cartilage buried in soil environments and its potential to determine PMI in the crucial two days to two months period. Trotters were interred in a number of graves at two distinct locations exhibiting dissimilar soil environments. Weekly disinterments (for 6 weeks) resulted in dissection for cartilage samples which were processed for protein immunoblot analyses and cell vitality assays. Results demonstrate that aggrecan, a major structural proteoglycan, produces high (230kDa) and low (38kDa) molecular weight cross-reactive polypeptides (CRPs) within cartilage extracellular matrix. The 230kDa CRP degrades in a reproducible manner irrespective of the different soil environments utilised. As PMI increases, aggrecan diminishes and degrades forming heterogeneous subpopulations with time. Immunodetection of aggrecan ceases when joint exposure to the soil environment occurs. At this time, aggrecan is metabolised by soil microbes. The molecular breakdown of cartilage proteoglycans has potential for use as a reliable indicator of PMI, irrespective of differing soil environments, beyond the 48-hours period. Likewise, vitality assays also demonstrated viable chondrocytes for as long as 35 PM days. The second component of this study examined the fungal activity associated with trotters buried below ground. Results indicate that fungal growth was considerably influenced by soil chemistry and changes in the environment. Fungal colonisation did not demonstrate temporal patterns of succession. The results of this study indicate that cartilage has the potential to prolong PMI determination well beyond the current 48- and 100-hour limitations posed by various other soft tissue methods. Moreover, the long-term post mortem viability of chondrocytes presents an opportunity to explore DNA extraction from these cells for the purpose of establishing a positive identification for unidentified remains. On the contrary, the growth and colonisation patterns of post putrefactive fungi in relation to decomposing porcine trotters proved to be futile for estimating PMI. Therefore, fungi may not be a suitable candidate for evaluating PMI during the early phase fungal activity.

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Stokes, Kathryn Lisa. "Soil-cadaver interactions in a burial environment." University of Western Australia. Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences, 2009. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0065.

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Forensic taphonomy is concerned with investigation of graves and grave sites. The primary aim of forensic taphonomy is development of accurate estimations of postmortem interval (PMI) and/or postburial interval (PBI). Soil has previously been largely ignored, therefore this thesis is designed to investigate changes in decomposition as imparted by the soil. Furthermore the impact of cadaver interment on the surrounding soil may offer prospects for identification of clandestine graves. A series of laboratory controlled decomposition experiments using cadavers (Mus musculus) and cadaver analogues (skeletal muscle tissue (SMT); Sus scrofa, Homo sapiens, Ovis aries and Bos Taurus) were designed to investigate decomposition in burial environments. Sequential destructive harvests were carried out to monitor temporal changes during decomposition. Analyses conducted included; mass loss, microbial activity (CO2 respiration) and soil chemistry (pH, EC and extractable NH4 +, NO3 -, PO4 3- and K+). Several experimental variables were tested; frozen-thawed versus refrigerated SMT, different mammalian sources of SMT, different soil type and contribution of soil versus enteric microbial communities. Mass loss measurements for SMT experiments demonstrated a sigmoidal pattern of mass loss, however, larger cadavers (Mus musculus, 5 weeks) did not. The inhumation of SMT (frozen, unfrozen, different mammalian sources) or cadavers leads to an increase in microbial activity (CO2 respiration) within 24 hours of burial. A peak of microbial activity is attained within a week, followed by a decrease and eventual plateau. The rapid influx in microbial activity is matched by corresponding increases in pH and NH4 + concentration. pH and NH4 + are strongly correlated in soils with acidic basal pH, by comparison highly alkaline soil demonstrated no relationship. NH4 + concentration also appeared to be related directly to NO3 - concentration and cadaver or SMT mass. A decrease in NH4 + corresponds with an increase in NO3 -, however, nitrification was unpredictable. Rapid nitrification was observed in sand systems when SMT was interred, but was not noted when cadavers were interred. By comparison both sandy clay loam and loamy sand soils demonstrated rapid nitrification after inhumation of a cadaver. When cadaver or cadaver analogue mass was larger, so were NH4 + and NO3 - concentrations in systems that experienced nitrification.

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Griffiths, Samuel John. "Aquatic bone taphonomy : forensic and archaeological implications for the interpretation of submerged bone." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2018. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/423819/.

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There is currently an incomplete understanding of the effects that aquatic processes have on skeletal material, and consequently the interpretation of water-submerged remains presents a number of challenges to archaeologists and forensic practitioners. Accurate interpretations of the conditions which cause diagnostic diagenetic changes to material are not just important for reconstructing post-depositional environments, processes and durations, but are also vital in ensuring that any data recovered from bone are not incorrectly interpreted due to information loss and modification. This thesis therefore addresses the paucity in data concerning early postdepositional modifications in submerged bone, by exploring different methods and analyses that facilitate more accurate interpretations of bones’ aquatic diagenetic and taphonomic pathways. A number of experimental and actualistic bone taphonomy studies are presented and discussed. A series of laboratory flume-based experiments demonstrate the utility of quantitative analysis of sediment-induced micro- abrasion on bone surfaces. SEM imaging allowed quantitative and qualitative distinctions to be made concerning the sediment size class that the bone was abraded by. Changes in sediment grain size, duration of exposure to abrasion, sphericity of the abrasive, and abrasive force are identified as the strongest rate-limiting factors controlling micro-abrasion propagation. Through this data it is suggested that a quantitative approach to analysing abrasion on bone retrieved from water has potential to establish remains’ submersion times and transport pathways with a higher degree of resolution than previously possible. The use of laser scanning for quantitatively recording sediment abrasion on submerged bone is also explored. Point cloud analysis was carried out, and it is shown that laser scanning can be used to accurately record abrasion on submerged bone at a resolution not possible through gross morphological assessment. It is therefore suggested that this quantitative approach facilitates an improved assessment of abrasive changes recorded on bone in experimental and actualistic taphonomy studies. Finally, a series of early-post-depositional monitoring studies were conducted in field and laboratory-based settings to assess both predictability and rates of diagenetic change as they relate to different spatio-temporal parameters of submersion. A suite of physicochemical changes in bone, recorded using gross morphological observations, histological assessments of bone microstructure, DNA analysis, FTIR-ATR analysis of bones’ mineral and organic constituents, quantitative measures of colour change using VSC analysis, and XRF analysis of bones’ elemental compositions, are discussed. The key findings of this study are that microbial modification in submerged osseous tissue can progress rapidly upon deposition in water and have the ability to propagate into cortical tissue, which may impact on the ability of remains to survive over archaeological and palaeontological time periods. Elemental exchange rates in submerged bone are identified as the most consistent markers of post-depositional change at both site-specific and broader scales. Remains that were constantly buried in bottom sediments and exhibit good gross morphological and histological integrity displayed notably consistent elemental uptake and depletion rates, which suggests they have utility for determining remains’ submersion times and locations. DNA degradation is shown to be rapid in submerged bone due to the effects of hydrolysis. It is also indicated that remains which experienced burial and exhibit limited microstructural changes are likely to show better retention of residual biomolecules and are therefore favourable to target for DNA analysis. This thesis concludes that a quantitative approach to recording both intrinsic and extrinsic variables related to bone diagenesis is advantageous for understanding taphonomic effect, cause and duration, and should therefore be adopted in future studies. In addition, this research provides a good fundamental basis concerning the occurrence and progression of different diagenetic changes in water-submerged remains, on which additional studies can build.

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O'Brien, R. Christopher. "Forensic animal necrophagy in the South-West of Western Australia : species, feeding patterns and taphonomic effects." University of Western Australia. School of Anatomy and Human Biology, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0195.

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[Truncated abstract] One of the standard ways of assessing time since death is from the stages of decomposition of the body. It is well known that the rate of decomposition is affected by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. Another factor that can affect decompositional rates is the presence of breaches in the protective barrier of the skin, whether arising from antemortem injury or postmortem damage, including that occurring from animal necrophagy. Scavengers have the potential to affect decomposition by breaching the skin allowing access to associated insect material, feeding on the maggot masses, or by consumption of the carcass itself. Each locality will have its own set of features determining the rate of decomposition of the body, and variation may occur within localities based on the seasons. Such variation implies the need for local calibration of time since death against degree of decomposition and to establish the magnitude of interseasonal variation. When the localities are outdoors, the influence of potential scavengers, and the factors affecting their activity need also to be taken into account. This study investigates the interaction of environmental factors and animal scavenging on the rate of decomposition of pig (Sus scrofa) carcasses at four south-west Western Australia sites; Jandakot, Shenton Park, Perup Forest, and Watheroo National Park. Jandakot and Shenton Park are both close to the Perth metropolitan area and the western coast while Perup Forest is southern and inland and Watheroo is northern and inland. ... The most common insectivore feeding in relation to the carcasses was the Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) which was associated with the carcasses in all seasons and all locations except for Perup Forest. The breeding cycle appeared to have a marked influence on the intensity of scavenging by several species. The effect of season on decompositional rates was greatly reduced in carcasses that were exposed to scavenging. It took no additional time for carcasses to achieve skeletonization in winter than in the other seasons in the presence of scavenging. Scavenging had no significant impact on the rate of breakdown of carcasses in summer, when decompositional rates were greatest and scavenging at a minimum. v In Western Australia, it is not uncommon for bodies to remain undiscovered in bush environments for lengthy periods of time due to the low human population density. This study shows conclusively that it is not sufficient simply to consider the accumulated degree day (ADD) when estimating time since death by the degree of decomposition of the body. Attention must also be given to local wildlife assemblages and variations in their activities with the seasons. The implications of this research are in the determination of time of death. If the effects of scavengers accelerate decomposition this must be taken into account when any calculation since time of death is determined. The marked variations between sites in the rates of decomposition of carcasses exposed to natural animal scavenging in this study highlights the need for local calibration of time since death to decompositional stages for all locales. The techniques devised in this study are straight forward and easily conducted yet are informative and essential in determining time since death for bodies which have been exposed to animal scavenging.

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Parsons, Hillary Renee. "The postmortem interval a systematic study of pig decomposition in West Central Montana /." Diss., [Missoula, Mont.] : The University of Montana, 2009. http://etd.lib.umt.edu/theses/available/etd-06192009-183725.

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Cappella, A. "INTERPRETATION OF TRAUMA AND TAPHONOMY IN A MODERN KNOWN SKELETAL POPULATION: IMPLICATION FOR FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Milano, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2434/253377.

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In Forensic Anthropology, trauma analysis is essential for a correct understanding of the cause and the modality of death as well as for the interpretation of previous traumatic events which occurred in life. Both have important implications in criminal and humanitarian scenarios: to demonstrate whether a crime was committed, and to ascertain torture and maltreatment. Nevertheless, the assessment of a traumatic event, whether antemortem, perimortem or potmortem, is extremely challenging and often limited and altered by multiple variables, namely taphonomy. Few are the validated scientific methods which can help anthropologists in the interpretation of skeletal trauma, and which are often limited by the lack of known skeletal material on which to conduct research in order to acquire data, to validate methods and to study and create theoretical trauma and taphonomy models. Among the many known documented skeletal collections already presented officially to the international scientific community very few are equipped also with known/control data on trauma, and cause and modality of death. The Milan cemeterial Skeletal Collection, which is only part of the more consistent Milan Osteological Skeletal Collection housed at LABANOF (University of Milan) is one of the latter, and its presence has offered the chance to conduct research on the difficult field of trauma and taphonomy included in the Ph.D project. The first ever anthropological study of the skeletal sample of the Milan skeletal collection here presented, has been the starting point which permitted us to highlight the numerous diagnostic difficulties concerning trauma analysis and has provided the material on which to conduct the applied research for analysing the state of the art currently used by the discipline. As a consequence of the many limits arising from the first two research lines (on the diagnosis of antemortem lesions as well as the identification of perimortem injury), which appeared not satisfactory enough for a correct interpretation of skeletal lesions, the research has focused on the novel field of blood taphonomy in order to provide knowledge for the use of cell components and biomarkers as indicators of vitality and survival on skeletal trauma which represents more reliable future possible alternative solutions.

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Barker, Andrew Lewis. "Mass Spectrometry-Based Identification of Ceramic-Bound Archaeological Protein Residues: Method Validation, Residue Taphonomy, and Prospects." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2018. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1404522/.

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Despite the variety of successful reports of the preservation, recovery, and identification of archaeological proteins in general, there are few positive reports regarding mass spectrometry-based identification of ceramic-bound proteins. In large part, this shortage is due to the lack of consideration for the unique taphonomic histories of such residues and, in general, methods development. Further, because negative results are rarely published, there is no baseline to which results can be compared. This paper attempts to address these challenges via a multi-pronged approach that uses mass spectrometry and complementary approaches to evaluate ceramic-bound protein preservation in both controlled, actualistic experiments, and in archaeological artifacts. By comparing the results obtained from protein-spiked, experimentally-aged ceramic to those obtained from both faunal and ceramic archaeological materials, an enhanced perspective on protein preservation and subsequent recovery and identification is revealed. This perspective, focusing on taphonomy, reveals why negative results may be the norm for ceramic artifacts when non-targeted methods are employed, and provides insight into how further method development may improve the likelihood of obtaining positive results.

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Luitingh, Taryn Leigh. "Adaptation of the microbial decomposer community to the burial of skeletal muscle tissue in contrasting soils." University of Western Australia. Centre for Forensic Science, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0037.

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Microorganisms are known to be agents involved in the decomposition of organic matter. However, little is known about the participation of the microbial communities during the decomposition of mammalian skeletal muscle tissue. This study investigates the capacity of the soil microbial community to adapt to the decomposition of skeletal muscle tissue in differing soils. This has implications for the study of mass graves and sites of repeated burial. A controlled laboratory experiment was designed to assess the adaptability of microbial communities present in three distinct soil types (sand, loamy sand and sandy clay loam) found near Perth, Western Australia. This experiment was split into two main stages. The initial decomposition stage involved the addition of porcine skeletal muscle tissue (SMT) (Sus scrofa) to each of the three soil types which were then left to decompose for a period of time. Controls were run in parallel, which had no porcine SMT present. The second decomposition stage involved a second addition of SMT to the soils obtained from the initial decomposition stage. Therefore, for each soil, SMT was either decomposed in the soil that had been pre-exposed to SMT or not. The rate of decomposition, microbial activity (CO2 respiration) and microbial biomass (substrate-induced respiration) were monitored during the second decomposition stage. The functional diversity of the microbial populations in the soil were assessed using Community-Level Physiological Profiling (CLPP). Across the three soil types, the re-introduction of SMT to the soil has led to its enhanced decomposition (measured by tissue mass loss and microbial activity) by the microbial communities. This microbial adaptation may have been facilitated by a functional change in the soil microbial communities.

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SIMÔES, DUTRA CORREA HEITOR. "ASSESSING THE USEFULNESS OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY AND LIPID ANALYSIS OF DECOMPOSED HUMAN BONES IN FORENSIC GENETICS AND MOLECULAR TAPHONOMY STUDIES." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Brescia, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/11379/559020.

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Forensic DNA testing is the application of genetic analyses to help elucidate legal disputes. DNA analyses can be performed not only on biological samples from living persons, but also from deceased individuals or their decomposed remains. Such analyses have been extremely valuable to society, allowing the formal identification of countless missing persons and unidentified human remains. In practice, mineralized organs, such as bones, are among the structures most likely to be recovered after death. Decomposition is a complex process that leads to transformation and degradation of all molecules, including DNA. However, the physicochemical properties that give bones their post-mortem resilience become major obstacles when DNA is to be extracted for analysis. Thus, genetic analysis on bones is laborious and technically challenging. Physicochemical techniques, such as vibrational spectroscopy, have the potential to be used as a screening tool for DNA analysis from bones. Other molecular techniques, such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) may also help to shed light onto the decomposition process and improve efficiency of DNA analysis. The objective of this research was to conduct alternative molecular investigations on decomposed bones to assess their utility in basic research and forensic casework. Femur samples collected from 50 human bodies found in an advanced state of decomposition were studied. Raman spectroscopy was conducted on thin femur slices and GC/MS was carried out on lipids extracted from powdered samples. Assessment of nuclear DNA quantity, quality, and short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping efficiency from femur fragments was also performed. Raman parameters (crystallinity, carbonate to phosphate ratio, mineral to matrix ratio) and lipids detected by GC/MS were recorded. Six types of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) as well as some hydrocarbons were detected in the bone samples. The main phosphate peak position in Raman spectra was shown to be significantly correlated with preserved DNA (p=0.03713). However, remaining Raman parameters and lipids detected were not significantly correlated with DNA presence nor STR typing efficiency. Even though high background fluorescence posed a challenge in Raman spectroscopy, hampering analysis of 18% (9 of 50) of the femurs studied, it may be a useful screening tool in forensic genetics. The detection of FAMEs in the bone matrix suggests a reaction between methanol produced by bacteria and free fatty acids, which does not seem to impact the level of preservation of endogenous DNA. Overall, the molecular techniques studied have showed that the prediction of genotyping success is challenging even in short PMIs, such as in forensic contexts.
Il test del DNA forense è l'applicazione di analisi genetiche per aiutare a chiarire le controversie legali. Le analisi del DNA possono essere eseguite non solo su campioni biologici di persone viventi, ma anche su individui deceduti o sui loro resti decomposti. Tali analisi sono state estremamente preziose per la società, consentendo l'identificazione formale di innumerevoli persone scomparse e resti umani non identificati. In pratica, gli organi mineralizzati, come le ossa, sono tra le strutture con maggiori probabilità di essere recuperate dopo la morte. La decomposizione è un processo complesso che porta alla trasformazione e alla degradazione di tutte le molecole, compreso il DNA. Tuttavia, le proprietà fisico-chimiche che conferiscono alle ossa la loro resilienza post mortem diventano i principali ostacoli quando il DNA deve essere estratto per l'analisi. Pertanto, l'analisi genetica sulle ossa è laboriosa e tecnicamente impegnativa. Le tecniche fisico-chimiche, come la spettroscopia vibrazionale, hanno il potenziale per essere utilizzate come strumento di screening per l'analisi del DNA dalle ossa. Altre tecniche molecolari, come la gascromatografia accoppiata alla spettrometria di massa (GC/MS), possono anche aiutare a fare luce sul processo di decomposizione e migliorare l'efficienza dell'analisi del DNA. L'obiettivo di questa ricerca era di condurre indagini molecolari alternative sulle ossa decomposte per valutarne l'utilità nella ricerca di base e nella casistica forense. Sono stati studiati campioni di femore raccolti da 50 corpi umani trovati in uno stato avanzato di decomposizione. La spettroscopia Raman è stata condotta su fette sottili di femore e la GC/MS è stata eseguita su lipidi estratti da campioni in polvere. È stata inoltre eseguita la valutazione della quantità, della qualità e dell'efficienza della genotipizzazione della ripetizione in tandem breve (STR) del DNA nucleare dai frammenti del femore. Sono stati registrati i parametri Raman (cristallinità, rapporto carbonato/fosfato, rapporto minerale/matrice) e lipidi rilevati mediante GC/MS. Nei campioni ossei sono stati rilevati sei tipi di esteri metilici degli acidi grassi (FAME) e alcuni idrocarburi. È stato dimostrato che la posizione del picco principale del fosfato negli spettri Raman è significativamente correlata al DNA conservato (p = 0,03713). Tuttavia, i restanti parametri Raman e lipidi rilevati non erano significativamente correlati alla presenza del DNA né all'efficienza della tipizzazione STR. Anche se l'elevata fluorescenza di fondo ha rappresentato una sfida nella spettroscopia Raman, ostacolando l'analisi del 18% (9 su 50) dei femori studiati, può essere un utile strumento di screening nella genetica forense. Il rilevamento di FAME nella matrice ossea suggerisce una reazione tra il metanolo prodotto dai batteri e gli acidi grassi liberi, che non sembra influenzare il livello di conservazione del DNA endogeno. Nel complesso, le tecniche molecolari studiate hanno dimostrato che la previsione del successo della genotipizzazione è impegnativa anche in PMI brevi, come in contesti forensi.

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12

SIMÔES, DUTRA CORREA HEITOR. "ASSESSING THE USEFULNESS OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY AND LIPID ANALYSIS OF DECOMPOSED HUMAN BONES IN FORENSIC GENETICS AND MOLECULAR TAPHONOMY STUDIES." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Brescia, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/11379/559017.

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Forensic DNA testing is the application of genetic analyses to help elucidate legal disputes. DNA analyses can be performed not only on biological samples from living persons, but also from deceased individuals or their decomposed remains. Such analyses have been extremely valuable to society, allowing the formal identification of countless missing persons and unidentified human remains. In practice, mineralized organs, such as bones, are among the structures most likely to be recovered after death. Decomposition is a complex process that leads to transformation and degradation of all molecules, including DNA. However, the physicochemical properties that give bones their post-mortem resilience become major obstacles when DNA is to be extracted for analysis. Thus, genetic analysis on bones is laborious and technically challenging. Physicochemical techniques, such as vibrational spectroscopy, have the potential to be used as a screening tool for DNA analysis from bones. Other molecular techniques, such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) may also help to shed light onto the decomposition process and improve efficiency of DNA analysis. The objective of this research was to conduct alternative molecular investigations on decomposed bones to assess their utility in basic research and forensic casework. Femur samples collected from 50 human bodies found in an advanced state of decomposition were studied. Raman spectroscopy was conducted on thin femur slices and GC/MS was carried out on lipids extracted from powdered samples. Assessment of nuclear DNA quantity, quality, and short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping efficiency from femur fragments was also performed. Raman parameters (crystallinity, carbonate to phosphate ratio, mineral to matrix ratio) and lipids detected by GC/MS were recorded. Six types of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) as well as some hydrocarbons were detected in the bone samples. The main phosphate peak position in Raman spectra was shown to be significantly correlated with preserved DNA (p=0.03713). However, remaining Raman parameters and lipids detected were not significantly correlated with DNA presence nor STR typing efficiency. Even though high background fluorescence posed a challenge in Raman spectroscopy, hampering analysis of 18% (9 of 50) of the femurs studied, it may be a useful screening tool in forensic genetics. The detection of FAMEs in the bone matrix suggests a reaction between methanol produced by bacteria and free fatty acids, which does not seem to impact the level of preservation of endogenous DNA. Overall, the molecular techniques studied have showed that the prediction of genotyping success is challenging even in short PMIs, such as in forensic contexts.
Il test del DNA forense è l'applicazione di analisi genetiche per aiutare a chiarire le controversie legali. Le analisi del DNA possono essere eseguite non solo su campioni biologici di persone viventi, ma anche su individui deceduti o sui loro resti decomposti. Tali analisi sono state estremamente preziose per la società, consentendo l'identificazione formale di innumerevoli persone scomparse e resti umani non identificati. In pratica, gli organi mineralizzati, come le ossa, sono tra le strutture con maggiori probabilità di essere recuperate dopo la morte. La decomposizione è un processo complesso che porta alla trasformazione e alla degradazione di tutte le molecole, compreso il DNA. Tuttavia, le proprietà fisico-chimiche che conferiscono alle ossa la loro resilienza post mortem diventano i principali ostacoli quando il DNA deve essere estratto per l'analisi. Pertanto, l'analisi genetica sulle ossa è laboriosa e tecnicamente impegnativa. Le tecniche fisico-chimiche, come la spettroscopia vibrazionale, hanno il potenziale per essere utilizzate come strumento di screening per l'analisi del DNA dalle ossa. Altre tecniche molecolari, come la gascromatografia accoppiata alla spettrometria di massa (GC/MS), possono anche aiutare a fare luce sul processo di decomposizione e migliorare l'efficienza dell'analisi del DNA. L'obiettivo di questa ricerca era di condurre indagini molecolari alternative sulle ossa decomposte per valutarne l'utilità nella ricerca di base e nella casistica forense. Sono stati studiati campioni di femore raccolti da 50 corpi umani trovati in uno stato avanzato di decomposizione. La spettroscopia Raman è stata condotta su fette sottili di femore e la GC/MS è stata eseguita su lipidi estratti da campioni in polvere. È stata inoltre eseguita la valutazione della quantità, della qualità e dell'efficienza della genotipizzazione della ripetizione in tandem breve (STR) del DNA nucleare dai frammenti del femore. Sono stati registrati i parametri Raman (cristallinità, rapporto carbonato/fosfato, rapporto minerale/matrice) e lipidi rilevati mediante GC/MS. Nei campioni ossei sono stati rilevati sei tipi di esteri metilici degli acidi grassi (FAME) e alcuni idrocarburi. È stato dimostrato che la posizione del picco principale del fosfato negli spettri Raman è significativamente correlata al DNA conservato (p = 0,03713). Tuttavia, i restanti parametri Raman e lipidi rilevati non erano significativamente correlati alla presenza del DNA né all'efficienza della tipizzazione STR. Anche se l'elevata fluorescenza di fondo ha rappresentato una sfida nella spettroscopia Raman, ostacolando l'analisi del 18% (9 su 50) dei femori studiati, può essere un utile strumento di screening nella genetica forense. Il rilevamento di FAME nella matrice ossea suggerisce una reazione tra il metanolo prodotto dai batteri e gli acidi grassi liberi, che non sembra influenzare il livello di conservazione del DNA endogeno. Nel complesso, le tecniche molecolari studiate hanno dimostrato che la previsione del successo della genotipizzazione è impegnativa anche in PMI brevi, come in contesti forensi.

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13

SIMÔES, DUTRA CORREA HEITOR. "ASSESSING THE USEFULNESS OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY AND LIPID ANALYSIS OF DECOMPOSED HUMAN BONES IN FORENSIC GENETICS AND MOLECULAR TAPHONOMY STUDIES." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Brescia, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/11379/559015.

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Forensic DNA testing is the application of genetic analyses to help elucidate legal disputes. DNA analyses can be performed not only on biological samples from living persons, but also from deceased individuals or their decomposed remains. Such analyses have been extremely valuable to society, allowing the formal identification of countless missing persons and unidentified human remains. In practice, mineralized organs, such as bones, are among the structures most likely to be recovered after death. Decomposition is a complex process that leads to transformation and degradation of all molecules, including DNA. However, the physicochemical properties that give bones their post-mortem resilience become major obstacles when DNA is to be extracted for analysis. Thus, genetic analysis on bones is laborious and technically challenging. Physicochemical techniques, such as vibrational spectroscopy, have the potential to be used as a screening tool for DNA analysis from bones. Other molecular techniques, such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) may also help to shed light onto the decomposition process and improve efficiency of DNA analysis. The objective of this research was to conduct alternative molecular investigations on decomposed bones to assess their utility in basic research and forensic casework. Femur samples collected from 50 human bodies found in an advanced state of decomposition were studied. Raman spectroscopy was conducted on thin femur slices and GC/MS was carried out on lipids extracted from powdered samples. Assessment of nuclear DNA quantity, quality, and short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping efficiency from femur fragments was also performed. Raman parameters (crystallinity, carbonate to phosphate ratio, mineral to matrix ratio) and lipids detected by GC/MS were recorded. Six types of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) as well as some hydrocarbons were detected in the bone samples. The main phosphate peak position in Raman spectra was shown to be significantly correlated with preserved DNA (p=0.03713). However, remaining Raman parameters and lipids detected were not significantly correlated with DNA presence nor STR typing efficiency. Even though high background fluorescence posed a challenge in Raman spectroscopy, hampering analysis of 18% (9 of 50) of the femurs studied, it may be a useful screening tool in forensic genetics. The detection of FAMEs in the bone matrix suggests a reaction between methanol produced by bacteria and free fatty acids, which does not seem to impact the level of preservation of endogenous DNA. Overall, the molecular techniques studied have showed that the prediction of genotyping success is challenging even in short PMIs, such as in forensic contexts.
Il test del DNA forense è l'applicazione di analisi genetiche per aiutare a chiarire le controversie legali. Le analisi del DNA possono essere eseguite non solo su campioni biologici di persone viventi, ma anche su individui deceduti o sui loro resti decomposti. Tali analisi sono state estremamente preziose per la società, consentendo l'identificazione formale di innumerevoli persone scomparse e resti umani non identificati. In pratica, gli organi mineralizzati, come le ossa, sono tra le strutture con maggiori probabilità di essere recuperate dopo la morte. La decomposizione è un processo complesso che porta alla trasformazione e alla degradazione di tutte le molecole, compreso il DNA. Tuttavia, le proprietà fisico-chimiche che conferiscono alle ossa la loro resilienza post mortem diventano i principali ostacoli quando il DNA deve essere estratto per l'analisi. Pertanto, l'analisi genetica sulle ossa è laboriosa e tecnicamente impegnativa. Le tecniche fisico-chimiche, come la spettroscopia vibrazionale, hanno il potenziale per essere utilizzate come strumento di screening per l'analisi del DNA dalle ossa. Altre tecniche molecolari, come la gascromatografia accoppiata alla spettrometria di massa (GC/MS), possono anche aiutare a fare luce sul processo di decomposizione e migliorare l'efficienza dell'analisi del DNA. L'obiettivo di questa ricerca era di condurre indagini molecolari alternative sulle ossa decomposte per valutarne l'utilità nella ricerca di base e nella casistica forense. Sono stati studiati campioni di femore raccolti da 50 corpi umani trovati in uno stato avanzato di decomposizione. La spettroscopia Raman è stata condotta su fette sottili di femore e la GC/MS è stata eseguita su lipidi estratti da campioni in polvere. È stata inoltre eseguita la valutazione della quantità, della qualità e dell'efficienza della genotipizzazione della ripetizione in tandem breve (STR) del DNA nucleare dai frammenti del femore. Sono stati registrati i parametri Raman (cristallinità, rapporto carbonato/fosfato, rapporto minerale/matrice) e lipidi rilevati mediante GC/MS. Nei campioni ossei sono stati rilevati sei tipi di esteri metilici degli acidi grassi (FAME) e alcuni idrocarburi. È stato dimostrato che la posizione del picco principale del fosfato negli spettri Raman è significativamente correlata al DNA conservato (p = 0,03713). Tuttavia, i restanti parametri Raman e lipidi rilevati non erano significativamente correlati alla presenza del DNA né all'efficienza della tipizzazione STR. Anche se l'elevata fluorescenza di fondo ha rappresentato una sfida nella spettroscopia Raman, ostacolando l'analisi del 18% (9 su 50) dei femori studiati, può essere un utile strumento di screening nella genetica forense. Il rilevamento di FAME nella matrice ossea suggerisce una reazione tra il metanolo prodotto dai batteri e gli acidi grassi liberi, che non sembra influenzare il livello di conservazione del DNA endogeno. Nel complesso, le tecniche molecolari studiate hanno dimostrato che la previsione del successo della genotipizzazione è impegnativa anche in PMI brevi, come in contesti forensi.

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14

Menzies, Jennifer. "The Taphonomy of Human and Non-Human Skeletal Remains in Australian Conditions and the Implications for Post-Mortem Interval Research." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/2123/25534.

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Estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) for surface-deposited skeletal remains is a vital component of forensic investigation in order to eliminate cases of non-forensic interest and to assist with identification of a victim. The aim of this thesis is twofold: to examine the relationship between visible changes to skeletal remains and post-mortem interval in an Australian setting and to investigate the validity of using non-human bones as proxies for human bones in such studies. Estimation of the PMI for human skeletal remains is highly problematic and no standardized method has yet been developed. As a rule, past researchers have investigated single factor methods of PMI determination using either human or non-human remains. Despite small gains, researchers’ efforts are derailed by the complex interaction between environmental factors and the remains and the short time periods over which the studies are done. A longitudinal field study was conducted. At a University of Sydney site (Mandemar), south of Sydney, both fleshed and defleshed bones of human, pig and kangaroo limbs placed on the ground surface were examined and compared over a period of six years. The study focused on recording weight loss, bleaching and weathering (cracking, flaking, surface degradation, exposure of trabecular bone) as well as the interaction of environmental factors such as insects, mould and algae. In addition, a comparison of weathering processes during decomposition was made between the disarticulated human elements from the site above and an intact human cadaver placed out for the purposes of this study at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER) in western Sydney, NSW. Factors which showed a relationship with PMI were weight loss, the rate of bleaching of exposed bone surfaces over time, the appearance and/or disappearance of moulds and algae, presence of a carrion beetle and a spike in the onset of weathering processes. Such relationships were however different for human and non-human bones. There were pronounced differences between species with human elements losing considerably more weight over time than the pig or kangaroo. This finding supports published opinions by other researchers that the use of animal substitutes in forensic research may not be valid and should be viewed with caution. The decomposition rate of the cadaver at AFTER was considerably slower than the fleshed, disarticulated elements at Mandemar with bleaching, weathering and growth of algae impeded by mummified tissue, occurring at later stages and not as extensive. This may be attributable to the time of year of placement as the cadaver was initially subjected to cooler winter temperatures. This research should add substantially toward understanding time dependent decomposition processes as they occur over several years in an outdoor Australian setting. This research makes a meaningful contribution to the debate regarding the use of animal proxies in forensic taphonomic research. In addition, the results highlight potentially rewarding avenues of investigation facilitating more focused and specific approaches for future studies.

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Komar, Debra. "Forensic taphonomy in a cold climate region, a field study in central Alberta and a potential new method of determining time since death." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp02/NQ39556.pdf.

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Silva, Joana Trigo da Silva de Oliveira e. "Antropologia forense e identificação humana." Master's thesis, [s.n.], 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10284/5237.

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Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Medicina Dentária
A identificação de vítimas mortais é uma necessidade das sociedades, por razões jurídicas, sociais e humanitárias. A Antropologia Forense é uma das subdisciplinas da Antropologia Física que se dedica à identificação humana, nomeadamente em investigações arqueológicas, criminais e de desastres de massa. A Antropologia Forense é particularmente útil na investigação da identidade humana a partir do exame de cadáveres ou de restos mortais carbonizados, despedaçados, em adiantado estado de decomposição, ou esqueletizados. A realização das peritagens necessárias à identificação destes restos mortais terá que ser efetuada por um conjunto de profissionais, dos quais se destacam os antropólogos forenses. Para esse efeito, estes executam a diagnose da espécie, da afinidade populacional, do género, da idade no momento do falecimento e da estatura, através da aplicação de diversas metodologias, que têm por base dados morfológicos e morfométricos do esqueleto e dos dentes. Tendo em conta que os dentes e as arcadas dentárias são elementos do corpo humano que proporcionam diversas características individualizantes, surge a Medicina Dentária Forense como uma área privilegiada para a identificação humana, cabendo ao médico dentista essa nova responsabilidade.
The identification of victims is a necessity, for legal reasons, humanitarian and social. Forensic Anthropology is one of the subdisciplines of Physical Anthropology and is dedicated to the human identification, particularly in archaeological investigations, criminal and mass disaster. Forensic Anthropology is particularly useful in the investigation of human identity from the examination of dead bodies or remains charred, broken in advance state of decomposition, or in the form of skeletons. The expertise necessary for the identification of these remains will have to be carried out by a group of professionals, including forensic anthropologists. To this end, these perform the diagnosis of species, population affinity, gender, age at time of death and the stature, by applying various methodologies, based on morphological and morphometric data of the skeleton and teeth. Taking into account that the teeth and dental arches are elements of the human body that provide various distinctive characteristics, arises Forensic Dentistry as a prime area for human identification, fitting to the dentist this new responsibility.

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Schotsmans, Eline M. J. "The effects of lime on the decomposition of buried human remains. A field and laboratory based study for forensic and archaeological application." Thesis, University of Bradford, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/6302.

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The inclusion of lime in burials is observed in historical and archaeological records, in contemporary mass graves and forensic cases. Clearly there are controversies within the literature and there is a general misconception of the effects of lime on decomposition. Recent casework in Belgium and the UK involving the search for human remains buried with lime, have demonstrated the need for a more detailed understanding of the effect of different types of lime on cadaver decomposition and its micro-environment. Field and laboratory experiments using pigs as human body analogues were undertaken to obtain a better understanding of the taphonomic processes that govern lime burials. The changes observed in the experiments were related back to archaeological parallels in which white residues have been found. The combined results of these studies demonstrate that despite conflicting evidence in the literature, hydrated lime and quicklime both delay the initial stages of the decay process but do not arrest it completely. The end result is ultimately the same: skeletonisation. Furthermore this study stresses the importance of the specific microenvironment in taphonomic research and highlights the need for chemical analysis of white residues when encountered in a burial. Not all white powder is lime. White residue could be identified as calcium carbonate, building material, body decomposition products, minerals or degraded lead. This study has implications for the investigation of clandestine burials and for a better understanding of archaeological plaster burials. Knowledge of the effects of lime on decomposition processes also have bearing on practices involving the disposal of animal carcasses and potentially the management of mass graves and mass disasters by humanitarian organisation and DVI teams.
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the University of Bradford

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Schotsmans, Eline Marie Joseph. "The effects of lime on the decomposition of buried human remains : a field and laboratory based study for forensic and archaeological application." Thesis, University of Bradford, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/6302.

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The inclusion of lime in burials is observed in historical and archaeological records, in contemporary mass graves and forensic cases. Clearly there are controversies within the literature and there is a general misconception of the effects of lime on decomposition. Recent casework in Belgium and the UK involving the search for human remains buried with lime, have demonstrated the need for a more detailed understanding of the effect of different types of lime on cadaver decomposition and its micro-environment. Field and laboratory experiments using pigs as human body analogues were undertaken to obtain a better understanding of the taphonomic processes that govern lime burials. The changes observed in the experiments were related back to archaeological parallels in which white residues have been found. The combined results of these studies demonstrate that despite conflicting evidence in the literature, hydrated lime and quicklime both delay the initial stages of the decay process but do not arrest it completely. The end result is ultimately the same: skeletonisation. Furthermore this study stresses the importance of the specific microenvironment in taphonomic research and highlights the need for chemical analysis of white residues when encountered in a burial. Not all white powder is lime. White residue could be identified as calcium carbonate, building material, body decomposition products, minerals or degraded lead. This study has implications for the investigation of clandestine burials and for a better understanding of archaeological plaster burials. Knowledge of the effects of lime on decomposition processes also have bearing on practices involving the disposal of animal carcasses and potentially the management of mass graves and mass disasters by humanitarian organisation and DVI teams.

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Humbert, Lorraine L. "A Preliminary Study for Estimating Postmortem Interval of Fabric Degradation in Central Florida." Honors in the Major Thesis, University of Central Florida, 2013. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETH/id/1599.

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Forensic anthropologists rely on forensic evidence to estimate the postmortem interval of a decedent. This may include the study of the degree of deterioration of the human body, the life stage of insects, and the degradation of associated material evidence. Material evidence comes in many forms, and certain taphonomic processes will affect the material and must be considered when making inferences about a PMI. These include variables such as the characteristics of the soil, microorganisms, and the presence of a decaying organic material. Previous research has undertaken studies in how fabric degrades over time; however, there is no standard methodology in use. The purpose of this research project is to establish a comprehensive scoring system and description standard after analyzing the degradation of four different fabric types. This will be useful for future studies in need of a standard methodology. In addition, the methods used in this project can be applied to actual forensic cases. After retrieval, the fabric type with the highest degradation was the cotton with about 1/3 of all cotton fabric swatches demonstrating more than 50% total degradation. For all fabric types, swatches that were positioned flat tended to degrade more than those that were positioned crumpled. Cotton fabric swatches degraded more in Trench 1 and Trench 2 than the Ground Surface, however, all other fabric types demonstrated slightly more degradation on the Ground Surface than the other two Areas. Soil moisture fluctuated the most on the Ground Surface while Trench 1 and Trench 2 were able to retain more water in the soil. Overall, cotton was the only fabric type to degrade significantly enough to show how it degrades over time, while the other fabric types have longer degradation intervals that must be studied further.
B.A.
Bachelors
Sciences
Anthropology

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20

Pope, Melissa A. "Differential decomposition patterns of human remains in variable environments of the Midwest." Scholar Commons, 2010. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/1741.

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Where do people die alone when they remain undiscovered for extended periods of time? Estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is critical to reconstructing the events surrounding a person's death and this is an area in which forensic anthropologists have played a leading role. This thesis applied an anthropological framework that takes a comprehensive approach to analyzing the demography of unaccompanied deaths, the relationships and timing of decomposition in multiple depositional contexts, and created a model for the prediction of accumulated degree days (ADD) for bodies within enclosures. While there have been extensive experimental and case study reviews on decomposition in outdoor environments, very little data exist for enclosed spaces. A retrospective analysis of 2003-2008 Nebraskan autopsy records demonstrates that most people dying alone are within their homes. Of the 87 forensic cases reviewed, 69 unaccompanied deaths occurred within enclosed environments. The value of retrospective studies in combination to experimental research is that the large number of variables that affect decompositional rates may be explored in a natural context. Multivariate models put emphasis on the dynamics of decompositional change and comprehensively address death and decomposition within an anthropological framework. For enclosed depositions, the PMI ranged from 1 - 66 days (n= 64, X¯=4.84, s.d.=9.1037) and the ADD ranged from 0 - 786 ADD (n=64, X¯=67.43, s.d.=120.275). Bass' (1997) model for outdoor surface decay was found to be an adequate predictor of the PMI for this sample (r=0.829, n=64, p These results provided support for the prediction of ADD as a measure of the rate of decomposition. Relationships among ADD and multiple intrinsic, extrinsic and epidemiological variables were identified and considered for a multiple linear regression model. Variables selected by the model included: decomposition odor, use of air conditioning/heat, marbling, brain liquefaction, and mummification. The model was found to account for 95.2% of the variation in ADD (Adjusted R² =0.952; F=40.807, df=5, 5 and p

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Alfsdotter, Clara. "Bad Death at Sandby borg : A Bioarchaeological Analysis of Intergroup Violence and Postmortem Agency of Unburied Corpses." Licentiate thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för kulturvetenskaper (KV), 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-73396.

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The subject of corpses from mass violence is surprisingly unexplored, even though the materiality of the corpse carries strong symbolic capital in conflicts. The aim of my PhD research is to create new knowledge about the implications of unburied corpses that stem from intergroup conflicts, and subsequently to add knowledge concerning how intergroup violence is organised to achieve desired social agendas. In the licentiate thesis presented here, I research the conditions for postmortem agency and how treatment of corpses can be studied in prehistory, specifically through the material remains of unburied corpses from the Sandby borg massacre. The Sandby borg case study is explored through a bioarchaeological perspective. Inside the Iron Age ringfort, the remains of at least 26 individuals have been recovered hitherto. Several of the dead display traces of lethal intergroup violence. By integrating osteology, archaeology, taphonomy and social theories, I show how bioarchaeological research can contribute to the understanding of past postmortem agency in relation to intergroup violence as a social process. The thesis is comprised of four articles.

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22

Jordana, Fabienne. "Fracturation sur os frais ou sur os sec de la voûte crânienne : approche méthodologique et application archéologique." Thesis, Bordeaux 1, 2010. http://www.theses.fr/2010BOR13984.

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Etablir le diagnostic différentiel entre des fractures réalisées sur os frais de celles produites sur os sec permet, quelle que soit la période chronologique considérée, une approche interprétative relative à l’attitude comportementale humaine qu’ils s’agissent des relations au sein d’un groupe ou face à une autre population, ainsi que les gestes réservés aux morts. Ainsi peuvent être envisagés le cannibalisme, des comportements de violence, ou des pratiques funéraires originales. Si certaines méthodes analytiques existaient pour le squelette infracrânien, aucun référentiel permettant de différentier les fractures sur os frais (intentionnelles ou non) des cassures sur os secs n’est actuellement disponible pour le squelette crânien. Notre objectif de recherche s’est donc concentré sur un essai de détermination des critères statistiquement valides de distinction du moment de fracturation sur os fossiles. Une partie importante de ce travail est consacrée aux études expérimentales menées pour tenter de distinguer une différence de comportement mécanique entre une fracture réalisée sur os frais de celle réalisée sur os sec (essais mécaniques, rugosimétrie confocale, microtomographie ou numérisation des pièces osseuses). Puis, les critères de la médecine légale sont discutés à partir d’échantillons osseux provenant de séries archéologiques différentes d’un point de vue chronologique et géographique et relevant de problématiques différentes. Il ressort de ce travail que très peu de critères pris individuellement sont suffisamment pertinents pour différencier fracturation sur os frais et fracturation sur os sec (décollement de la lame corticale). Ils doivent toujours être discutés à l’échelle d’une série archéologique et non sur un échantillon isolé, seul ou sorti de son contexte. Dans le meilleur des cas, ils nous permettent de proposer des hypothèses (cannibalisme, pression des sédiments…) qui devront être corroborées en fonction du contexte archéologique et anthropologique par une analyse interdisciplinaire
Establishing a differential diagnosis between fresh bone fractures and dry bone fractures allows, whatever the chronological period considered, an interpretative approach relating to the human behaviours within a group or another population, as well as the deaths gestures. Thus, cannibalism, violent behaviours, or original funerary practices can be considered. If some analytical methods existed for the infracranial skeleton, no references allowing for the differentiation between fresh bone fractures (intentional or not) and dry bone breaks were available for the cranial skeleton. Thus, our research objective concentrated on a determination trial of statistically valid criteria that distinguished the fracturing moment on fossil bones. An important part of our work concerned experimental studies undertaken to distinguish a mechanical behavioural difference between fresh bone fractures and dry bone fractures (mechanical tests, rugosimetry, microtomography, or bone pieces digitalization). Forensic medicine criteria was also discussed with osseous samples coming from different archeological series that were taken from chronological and geographical points of view and used to represent each different problem. It appears that there exist very few criteria taken individually that are sufficiently relevant to differentiate fracturing on fresh bone and fracturing on dry bone (delamination). They must always be discussed on an archeological series scale and not on an isolated sample, either alone or taken out of context. In the best of the cases, they enable us to propose assumptions (cannibalism, pressure of the sediments…) that will have to be corroborated according to the archaeological and anthropological context by an interdisciplinary analysis

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Bouquin, Denis. "Décomposition du cadavre et pratiques funéraires des populations du passé : confrontation des données médico-légales et archéologiques." Doctoral thesis, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/288196.

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La problématique à l’origine de ces travaux de doctorat porte sur la décomposition du cadavre,son rôle dans la consitution de l’image archéologique de la sépulture archéologique et donc sur lespossibilités de restitution des pratiques funéraires des populations du passé.Pour tenter de répondre à cette question qui touche les sciences médico-légales et l’archéologiede la mort, nous avons divisé notre propos en trois parties. La première traite des données théoriques.Dans un premier chapitre, nous abordons les fondements de l’archéologie de la mort afin de préciser lecadre de nos travaux notamment sur les outils dont nous disposons pour restituer les pratiques funérairesdes populations du passé. Dans les deux derniers chapitres, nous présentons les données relatives auprocessus de décomposition en contexte d’exposition, puis en contexte d’inhumation. Ces donnéesthéoriques sont indispensables car elles permettent, d’une part, de connaître la variabilité du processus,d’autre part, les facteurs qui peuvent l’influencer et enfin de pouvoir évaluer l’intérêt de ces données etde leur application en contexte archéologique. Afin de dépasser la simple application de ces informationssur des contextes archéologiques, nous avons réalisé des observations sur 50 sépultures récentes issuesde deux cimetières contemporains pour non seulement apporter nos propres données concernant lavariabilité de la décomposition en contexte d’inhumation, mais également constituer un référentiel dedonnées qui peuvent être appliquées en contexte archéologique. Dans cette optique, nous avons dansun second temps étudié 50 sépultures archéologiques pour tester la pertinence de nos observations etdémontrer l’intérêt de prendre en compte le processus de décomposition dans le cadre d’une démarchede restitution des pratiques funéraires des populations du passé. Le dernier chapitre de cette partie estconsacré à une discussion afin d’évaluer la manière dont nos résultats s’insèrent dans la recherche surla décomposition du cadavre et la restitution des pratiques funéraires des populations du passé. Enfinla dernière partie permet d’aborder les apports et les limites de nos travaux tant sur la décompositiondu cadavre en contexte d’inhumation que nos possibilités de restituer les modalités d’inhumation encontexte archéologique.
Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques (Médecine)
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

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Carter, David O. "Forensic taphonomy: processes associated with cadaver decomposition in soil." Thesis, 2005. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/1292/1/01front.pdf.

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A series of laboratory and field incubations were carried out where juvenile rat (Rattus rattus) cadavers were buried in three soils of contrasting texture from tropical savanna ecosystems in Queensland, Australia. This work was done in order to develop an understanding of the effect of environmental variables (temperature, moisture), the soil in which a cadaver is buried and the nature of the cadaver on the processes associated with cadaver decomposition in soil. A pattern of mass loss comprised of an “Early Phase” of slow mass loss, “Intermediate Phase” of rapid mass loss and a “Late Phase” of slow mass loss. Early Phase decomposition coincided with an initial increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) evolution, microbial biomass carbon (Cmic), phosphodiesterase activity, protease activity and soil pH. Microbial activity was triggered within 24 hours of cadaver burial and this initial flush of activity was likely due to both soil-borne and cadaveric microbes. Intermediate Phase decomposition was typically associated with peak levels of CO2 evolution, Cmic, phosphodiesterase activity and soil pH. Late Phase decomposition typically coincided with a slowing down of process rates. In some cases, however, peak levels of protease activity were observed during late phase decomposition. The rate of cadaver decomposition increased with an increase in temperature and moisture. However, the rate of cadaver decomposition was slowed at a matric potential of –0.3 megapascals (MPa) in coarse-textured soil and a matric potential of –0.01 MPa in fine-textured soil. Temperature and moisture also had similar effects on CO2 evolution, Cmic, protease activity, phosphodiesterase activity and soil pH. In addition, the soil matrix and the soil microbial biomass had a significant effect on cadaver decomposition. The rate of cadaver decomposition following burial in soil was greater than when a cadaver was exposed to a sterile, soil-free environment. Furthermore, cadaver decomposition was greatest in sandy soil. These phenomena were likely due to a greater rate of gas diffusion associated with sandy soil and the activity of aerobic microorganisms. The activity of aerobic decomposers was reflected as a significant relationship between CO2 evolution and cadaver mass loss. The structure of the soil microbial community determined by analysis of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) was affected by the presence of a cadaver. However, soil type and seasonal variation in temperature and moisture had a much greater effect on the soil microbial community. In addition, the current study provided more evidence to show that the structure of the soil microbial community can be related to the function (protease, phosphodiesterase activity) of the soil microbial community. Furthermore, temporal changes in the microbial community of gravesoils were also observed. Te results from the laboratory incubations were used to interpret the results from the field incubations. However, some results differed between laboratory and field settings. The rate of cadaver mass loss was greater in a field setting. Also, cadaver decomposition was greatest in sandy soil in the laboratory while cadaver mass loss was greatest in clay soil in the field. Moreover, changes in soil pH and the concentration of ammonium were less in a field setting. The current thesis has demonstrated that the introduction of a cadaver into the soil can have a significant effect on the biological and chemical characteristics of soils. In turn, this phenomenon can be affected by environmental variables, the soil in which a cadaver is placed and the nature of the cadaver. Biological and chemical measurements conducted in the current study hold potential for forensic applications, including markers of clandestine graves and a basis for the estimation of postmortem and postburial intervals.

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Janaway, Robert C. "Forensic archaeology and forensic taphonomy experience in the UK: implications for the recovery of physical evidence." 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/3068.

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Udoni, Makala. "A taphonomic study of black bear (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bear (U. arctos) tooth marks on bone." Thesis, 2019. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/38728.

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Tooth mark and gnaw damage modifications on bone from African carnivores have been extensively examined; however, there are little data on North American carnivores, especially on ursids. Tooth mark modifications include pits, punctures, scores, and furrows, while gnaw damage modifications include crenellated margins, edge polish, scalloping, scooping, and crushed margins. Forensically, tooth mark identification and measurements allow for easier identification of species involved in cases containing predator or scavenger alteration. The present study hypothesized that black bear (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bear (U. arctos) tooth marks will be able to be distinguished from one another and the two bear species will have different gnawing patterns. Further, the study hypothesized that ursid tooth marks and gnaw damage will be distinguishable from other documented carnivore alterations. In the present study, black bears and grizzly bears from the Oakland Zoo were fed 56 proximal and distal femoral epiphyses from cattle (Bos taurus). The skeletal remains were cleaned and analyzed at Boston University, School of Medicine for pits, punctures, scores, and furrows. Each tooth mark was photographed and then processed through the open-source software ImageJ (National Institutes of Health) in order to obtain the area, perimeter, length, and width of each tooth mark. The presence of certain gnaw damage characteristics were also recorded for each bone, such as crenellated margins, edge polish, scalloping, scooping, and deep furrows. Statistical analyses were used to distinguish if the epiphysis type (proximal or distal) or bear species were statistically significant factors in the type of tooth mark and gnaw damage. The results indicate a pattern distinctive to ursid scavenging with pits with an average length of 3.53 mm and width of 2.19 mm, an average score width of 1.47 mm, scalloping on the distal epiphysis especially on the patellar surface of the femur, scooping on the proximal epiphysis especially on the greater trochanter of the femur, and deep furrows primarily on the distal epiphysis along the patellar region and condyles of the femur. When comparing the present study to previous ursid studies (Arilla et al. 2014; Domínguez-Rodrigo and Piqueras 2003; Sala and Arsuaga 2013; Saladié et al. 2011) and previous other carnivore studies (Andrés et al. 2012; Delaney-Rivera et al. 2009; Pobiner 2007), there was a statistical significance between ursid pits and fox (Vulpes vulpes), skunk (Mephitis mephitis), and the combination of hyena (Crocuta crocuta) and lion (Panthera leo) pits. Scooping occurred in 35.2% of the entire sample, while scalloping occurred in 29.6% of the entire sample. Scooping has been observed in previous research but not as high of a percentage as the present study, and scalloping has been noted in a black bear study (Carson et al. 2000) and a wolf/dog study (Milner and Smith 1989), but with no numerical data for comparison. The high percentage of scooping and scalloping on long bones could be distinctive characteristics of ursid gnaw damage and could distinguish ursid scavenging from other carnivores.

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Ritchie, Genevieve T. "A comparison of human decomposition in an indoor and an outdoor environment." 2005. http://etd.utk.edu/2005/RitchieGenevieve.pdf.

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Pollock, Corey Rae. "Organic staining on bone from exposure to wood and other plant materials." Thesis, 2017. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/23851.

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Determining the depositional environment and the postmortem alterations to a set of remains are aspects of forensic investigations that are necessary to explain the circumstances surrounding the death of the individual. Further research on the taphonomic agents that can impact skeletal material can aid in the differentiation between various postmortem alterations that impact a single set of remains. The present study focuses on organic staining as a method for reconstructing the deposited environment of the remains and the taphonomic agents in which they came into contact. Organic staining results largely from tannins leaching from plant materials, including wood and leaves, and therefore can be seen on bone deposited in wooden coffin environments or on terrestrial surfaces. The present study hypothesized that the degree of staining observed on skeletal elements would increase as the length of exposure to the organic matter increased and that different plant materials, and environments, would leave different patterns or colorations of staining. The skeletal elements consisted of 150 commercially available pig (Sus scrofa) femora that had the epiphyses removed and were completely defleshed without utilizing chemicals or boiling. The sample was divided into three groups with differing conditions and/or types of organic material introduced. Some were buried in a marshy environment within wooden boxes constructed of ten wood types commonly utilized in coffin construction throughout U.S. history: hickory (Carya sp.), walnut (Juglans sp.), cherry (Prunus sp.), soft maple (Acer sp.), mahogany (Swietenia sp.), yellow pine (Pinus sp.), poplar (Populus sp.), cedar (Cedrus sp.), oak (Quercus sp.), and spruce (Picea sp.). Additional femora were deposited in plastic containers lined with the same wood types as above and filled with tap water. Five control bones were deposited in a container with tap water and five additional bones were placed in a container with commercial tannic acid. The final group of femora was deposited on the ground surface surrounded by four types of dead vegetation: evergreen pine needles (Pinus strobus), northern red oak leaves (Quercus rubra), sugar maple leaves (Acer saccharum), and acorns (Quercus rubra) collected from the Boston area. The bones were removed once a month from their experimental environments and left overnight to dry. The level of staining that manifested on the osseous material was recorded qualitatively using the Munsell Soil Color Chart under a consistent indoor 40- watt daylight light bulb. The staining was recorded after two months upon initiation of the study and every following month until the study’s completion. After the color staining was recorded, the bones were returned to their experimental environments until the next interval of data collection. An additional sample of 15 bones, which were previously buried with direct soil contact, was also analyzed. These bones were either buried within the O, A, or C soil horizons for an interval of 1, 2, or 3 years prior to analysis. They were photographed and the staining was classified on one occasion after which the bones were permanently withdrawn and not returned to the experimental environment. In all of the experimental environments, staining was present after two months of exposure, and the color darkened across the bone surface with each episode of data collection. Both groups exposed to the wood types displayed staining across the entire bone surface with a few major colors on the bone shaft, while minor colors were only expressed along the margins or as small patches along the shaft. As the buried boxes began to break down, which is commonly observed in coffin burials, soil was able to infiltrate the boxes and contact the bones. This process resulted in multiple shades of brown to be present in the staining across bones in multiple wood types. The bones in the plastic containers with wood exhibited a larger variation in color staining likely due to a higher concentration of tannins restricted to a smaller area around the bones combined with a lack of water inflow. The staining ranged from red for bones with mahogany to brown for bones with cedar to even dark gray or black on bones with walnut and tannic acid, respectively. The bones in plant matter differed in that the organic staining was sporadic, often with large areas of very pale brown or yellowish brown coloration and with smaller patches of shades of darker brown. The staining present on the buried soil bones was intermediate to the other samples, in that it was diffuse across the shaft with a large range of colorations present. The results from the present study indicate that staining can manifest on bone within a relatively short time frame once skeletonization occurs and a variety of colorations or patterns of staining can manifest based on the plant material. The present research demonstrates the potential of organic staining to aid in estimations of the postmortem interval as well as an environmental reconstruction through species identification.

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Joseph, Amberlee Skylar. "Suitcase concealment: an interdisciplinary analysis of the taphonomic processes and their effect on PMI estimation." Thesis, 2017. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/23799.

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In homicide cases, suitcases provide concealment and ease of transport of a body and reduce the likelihood of detection. When estimating a minimum postmortem interval (mPMI), it is necessary to understand the taphonomic processes that occur when a body is concealed within a suitcase. In this study, the experimental carcasses consisted of pig (Sus scrofa Linnaeus) heads concealed within either hard shell or fabric suitcases whereas control pig heads were decomposed naturally. All control pigs heads attracted blowflies (Calliphoridae) immediately and mummified within days, whereas the experimental pigs heads had an oviposition delay of approximately 72 hours and decomposed resulting in skeletonization. Differences in the arthropod species present varied between the experimental and control pigs heads. Temperature comparisons revealed significant (p <0.001) differences between the experimental and control pigs heads. How a corpse decomposes when a suitcase is used for body disposal must be considered when estimating the mPMI.

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McCraw, Kimberly Ann. "Bone preservation in an archaeological burial assemblage: the effects of time, soil pH, age, and sex." Thesis, 2014. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/15315.

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This project examined the differences in skeletal preservation from several mound sites in the West Central Illinois Valley, spanning the Late Archaic to Late Woodland periods, from approximately 2500 B.C to A.D. 1000: Koster Mounds, containing Early Archaic to Middle Archaic burials from approximately 8700 B.C. to 800 B.C.; Peisker Mounds, containing Early Woodland burials from approximately 625 B.C. to 230 B.C.; Gibson Mounds, containing Archaic, Hopewell, and Late Woodland burials starting 50 B.C. to A.D. 400; and Helton Mounds, containing Late Woodland burials from approximately A.D. 830 to A.D. 1200. The intrinsic factors of bone density and age and sex of the individual were compared statistically with bone inventories and osseous taphonomic conditions to determine if these factors affected preservation. Based on extant inventories each skeleton was scored on the percent of standard measurements possible to take, 24 cranial, 10 mandibular, and 44 postcranial measurements, following Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994), as a proxy for individual element completeness for major portions of the skeleton. Additionally, this project examined more specifically the preservation of the os coxa. The five commonly used areas for sexing (the ventral arc, subpubic concavity, ischiopubic ramus ridge, greater sciatic notch, and preauricular sulcus), following Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994) and Phenice (1969), were examined and scored independently. Three commonly used areas for aging (the pubic symphysis, auricular surface, and acetabulum) following Brooks and Suchey (1990), Phenice (1969) and Calce (2012) were examined and scored independently. Soil samples were collected from two sites and analyzed to determine if soil pH affects the preservation rates of skeletons differently. To assess the amount of data lost in older skeletal assemblages the author tested the hypotheses that (1) denser skeletal portions are most likely to be well-preserved, (2) mature adult males are more likely to be well-preserved than mature adult females, (3) mature adults will be more well-preserved than the remains of juveniles and old adults, and (4) skeletons from more recent time periods will be more well-preserved than skeletons from earlier time periods. The results of the study show, that while there are many factors that influence preservation of skeletal assemblages in the archaeological record, certain factors are more important than others when it comes to skewing the archaeological record. Sex of the individual does not appear significantly to affect the rate of preservation, while age at death and duration of burial, especially when looking at infants compared to adults and individuals buried during the Archaic period compared to individuals buried during the Middle and Late Woodland period, do affect preservation.

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Newcomb, Alyssa Marie. "Observations of the impacts of mechanical plowing on buried remains in forensic and archaeological contexts." Thesis, 2015. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/15446.

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Among the numerous taphonomic influences that can impact biological remains, agricultural activity has one of the most widespread effects. The present research examines the impacts of agricultural activities on buried skeletal remains, both in archaeological and medicolegal contexts. Juvenile pig (Sus scrofa) skeletons were utilized to simulate buried juvenile human aged 3 to 5 years to test the influence of original burial depths and different plowing intervals on the dispersal and the degree of damage caused by an offset disk plow. Ten juvenile pig skeletons were buried in relatively anatomical position, five at a bottom depth of 15 cmbs (cm below the surface) and five at 22 cmbs. They were subjected to different intervals of plowing with one burial at each depth subjected to a single, three, five, seven, or ten plow passes. The disturbed area was surveyed for surface material, and the plow furrows were excavated in 1 m by 1 m units. The excavated soil was screened using a ¼" mesh screen, except for two burials that were screened using a nested ¼" and ⅛" mesh screen to test the differences in recovery between the two screen sizes. The recovered skeletal material was inventoried and assessed for damage. The results of this research showed that while original burial depth had some effect on distribution of bone and the degree to which bone was damaged, the relationship was not statistically significant. The number of plowing intervals did have a significant effect on the distribution and degree of damage. The damage caused to bone by the offset disk plow would be distinguishable from perimortem trauma in dry bone. Comparison of the recovery rates of ¼" and ⅛" mesh found that ⅛" contributed to a higher recovery of juvenile remains at least 3 to 5 years of age in soil with a high gravel content.

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Chavez, Stephanie G. "An investigation of taphonomic changes and decomposition rates of remains after exposure to cold environments : a porcine model." Thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.7/uws:45680.

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Many taphonomic studies have concluded that temperature is one of the most influential variables driving decomposition. However, the effect extreme cold treatments, such as freezing, have on the process and rate of decomposition has received little attention. This is presumably because temperatures below zero degree Celsius are believed to slow or stop microbial and invertebrate activity, inhibiting the decomposition process. The few studies present in the literature describing the decomposition process of cold treated remains are mostly international in origin, with no consensus as to whether the decomposition process and rate is even affected by frozen temperatures. The vast majority of these studies have, however, suggested that frozen remains tend to disarticulate at an accelerated rate and are more prone to external decay whereas never-frozen remains exhibit putrefaction from within, or internal decay. Knowledge of how a body decomposes after exposure to extremely cold temperatures is important, particularly as it will assist with the development of methods used to determine the post-mortem interval (PMI) when remains are suspected to have been exposed to these extreme temperatures. To determine if freezing impacts the decomposition of soft tissue and the disarticulation sequence of remains, a 2017 summer and winter field study was conducted in the Hawkesbury region of NSW Australia. Two frozen and two never-frozen Sus scrofa (domestic pig) carcasses were deposited on the grounds surface and left to decompose over a 12-week period each season. Soft tissue changes were recorded and ‘scored’ and the PMI determined using a previously published method. Bacterial swabs were also collected and analysed via real-time PCR to determine which bacterial communities were present at each stage of decomposition. Results indicate clear morphological differences in decomposition patterns between frozen and never-frozen remains throughout summer, with frozen remains skeletonising faster and decomposing in an ‘outside-in’ pattern. Winter appears to produce little morphological variation between frozen and never-frozen remains. PMI calculations show that there are clear differences in PMI estimations between frozen and never-frozen remains in early decomposition, however differences become negligible as decomposition progresses. The summer study was validated using human remains at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER), where morphologically the human remains decomposed similarly to the summer pigs. Microbial results in both pig and human models show freezing appears to pause microbial activity, however, once remains are allowed to thaw, bacteria experiences rapid growth in frozen remains. Furthermore, patterns are observed between bacteria that may provide an indication as to whether a body has been frozen at or around the time of death. The results of this study contribute to the increasing knowledge of taphonomic factors affecting decomposition in Australian environments.

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33

"Taphonomy, paleopathology and mortuary variability in Chaco Canyon: Using bioarchaeological and forensic methods to understand ancient cultural practices." Tulane University, 2011.

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Beginning in the ninth century, Chaco Canyon saw the construction of distinctive, large-scale masonry architecture that has come to characterize the Chaco culture system. However, the great houses of Chaco Canyon were abandoned long before European contact, leaving behind no record of why these large structures were originally built or what function they served. Pueblo Bonito, which was among the earliest and most centrally located of the Chaco great houses, entombed dozens of individuals in two small clusters of intramural burial chambers. Many of the remains were disarticulated, while others were buried with a remarkable array of grave goods, engendering a range of theories regarding who these persons were and why they were buried within the walls of this important structure. To address these questions, the present study uses methods derived from bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology by first reassociating the commingled human skeletal remains, then performing taphonomic and pathological analysis of these individuals. Reassociation of these remains prior to analysis permits more accurate assessment of sex and age of these individuals, as well as of their health status of these individuals in life and their treatment at death. Results of this study do not support previous interpretations that these burials represent sociopolitical elites, nor that they were the victims of human sacrifice, fallen warriors, or victims of cannibalism. This research does not indicate that the disarticulated bodies result from natural taphonomic processes, looting or vandalism, and points to a different perspective on Chaco mortuary behavior. This research offers a fresh perspective on who these persons may have been and what their disposition within the walls of Pueblo Bonito might signify
acase@tulane.edu

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Wilson, Andrew S., Robert C. Janaway, Andrew D. Holland, Hilary I. Dodson, Eve N. Baran, A. Mark Pollard, and Desmond J. Tobin. "Modelling the buried human body environment in upland climes using three contrasting field sites." 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/3506.

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No
Despite an increasing literature on the decomposition of human remains, whether buried or exposed, it is important to recognise the role of specific microenvironments which can either trigger or delay the rate of decomposition. Recent casework in Northern England involving buried and partially buried human remains has demonstrated a need for a more detailed understanding of the effect of contrasting site conditions on cadaver decomposition and on the microenvironment created within the grave itself. Pigs (Sus scrofa) were used as body analogues in three inter-related taphonomy experiments to examine differential decomposition of buried human remains. They were buried at three contrasting field sites (pasture, moorland, and deciduous woodland) within a 15km radius of the University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Changes to the buried body and the effect of these changes on hair and associated death-scene textile materials were monitored as was the microenvironment of the grave. At recovery, 6, 12 and 24 months post-burial, the extent of soft tissue decomposition was recorded and samples of fat and soil were collected for gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis. The results of these studies demonstrated that (1) soil conditions at these three burial sites has a marked effect on the condition of the buried body but even within a single site variation can occur; (2) the process of soft tissue decomposition modifies the localised burial microenvironment in terms of microbiological load, pH, moisture and changes in redox status. These observations have widespread application for the investigation of clandestine burial and time since deposition, and in understanding changes within the burial microenvironment that may impact on biomaterials such as hair and other associated death scene materials.

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35

Nogueira, Isabel Maria Meneses Baptista. "Relatório de Estágio realizado na Unidade Funcional de Patologia Forense do Serviço de Clínica e Patologia Forenses da Delegação do Centro do Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P." Master's thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10316/94242.

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Dissertação de Mestrado em Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses apresentada à Faculdade de Medicina
Forensic Anthropology works side by side with other forensic sciences, particularly with Pathology and Genetics, in order to identify the victim(s) and to clarify the cause of death and the circumstances in which it might have occurred, from the detailed analysis of their cadaveric/skeletonized remains, which is of extreme importance during a criminal investigation, not only in legal and social contexts, but also in contexts of mass disasters and crimes against Humanity .For that, the forensic anthropologist must trace each of the parameters of the individual's biological profile - sex, age, stature and ancestry - from the morphological and/or metric analysis of certain anatomical regions, such as the morphological analysis of os coxae and the skull for sex estimation, such as the morphological analysis of degenerative traits in the pubic symphysis, on the auricular surface, at the sternal extremity of the 4th rib and in the acetabulum for age estimation, such as metric analysis of long bones (e.g. femur) for stature estimation, and such as the analysis of cranial morphological features for ancestry estimation.However, these four parameters only provide the expert with general identification information, requiring further detailed analysis of potential individualizing factors, such as skeletal changes of traumatic or pathological cause, skeletal characteristics of a morphological nature and/or signs of eventual medical-surgical procedures, in order to reach out the positive identification of the victim(s). Finally, when possible, the forensic anthropologist, in close collaboration with the forensic pathologist, should try to clarify the cause and manner of death, based on a careful analysis of traumatic bone injuries of a perimortal nature, taking into account the severity of the injuries and their impact on the internal organs.
A Antropologia Forense trabalha lado a lado com outras ciências forenses, particularmente com a Patologia e a Genética, com o objetivo de identificar a(s) vítima(s) e de esclarecer a causa da morte e as circunstâncias em que esta poderá ter ocorrido, a partir da análise detalhada dos restos cadavéricos/esqueletizados da(s) mesma(s), sendo isto de extrema importância durante uma investigação criminal, não apenas em contextos jurídicos e sociais, como em contextos de desastres de massa e de crimes contra a Humanidade. Para tal, o antropólogo forense deve traçar cada um dos parâmetros do perfil biológico do indivíduo - sexo, idade, estatura e ancestralidade -, a partir da análise morfológica e/ou métrica de determinadas regiões anatómicas, como a análise morfológica do osso coxal e do crânio para a estimativa do sexo, como a análise morfológica de traços degenerativos na sínfise púbica, na superfície auricular, na extremidade esternal da 4ª costela e no acetábulo para a estimativa da idade, como a análise métrica de ossos longos (ex.: fémur) para a estimativa da estatura, e como a análise das características morfológicas cranianas para a estimativa da ancestralidade.No entanto, estes quatro parâmetros apenas fornecem ao perito as informações gerais de identificação, sendo necessária a posterior análise detalhada de potenciais fatores individualizantes, como as alterações esqueléticas de origem traumática ou patológica não traumática, as características esqueléticas de natureza morfológica e/ou indícios de eventuais procedimentos médico-cirúrgicos, de maneira a chegar à identificação positiva da(s) vítima(s).Finalmente, quando possível, o antropólogo forense, em estreita colaboração com o médico patologista forense, deve tentar esclarecer a causa e a circunstância da morte, a partir da análise cuidada das lesões ósseas traumáticas de natureza perimortal, tendo em conta a gravidade das lesões e a sua repercussão ao nível os órgãos internos.

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Nagy, Michael A. "Environmental factors affecting an experimental low-density mass grave near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada." Master's thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10048/1157.

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The investigation of mass graves involves aspects of high political, judicial, and emotional impact. Understanding how bodies held within mass graves change between the time they are deposited and the time they are discovered (the realm of forensic taphonomy) is vital for competent collection of evidence and accurate evaluation of the scene. This thesis explores these issues by detailing experimental research undertaken to better understand the affects of environmental factors on low-density, orderly placement mass graves. Issues pertaining to how decomposition of bodies in contact differs from that of single bodies, intentional disturbance, and temperature change were examined experimentally using pigs as human analogues over a period of almost one year outside of Edmonton, Canada. There are three primary avenues in which the information obtained can be applied to the real world: estimation of elapsed time since death, planning mass grave investigations and reducing evidence loss, and evaluating post-burial disturbance or intentional vandalism.

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37

Gough, Megan Anne. "Experimental study fo white heat line formation in burned bone using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy." Thesis, 2017. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/26733.

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In the anthropological analysis of burned bone, the presence of a white heat line aids in determining a bone’s physical condition prior to burning, distinguishing between those burned fleshed or wet versus dry. However, while the relationship between this thermal signature and a bone’s physical condition has been studied, there is a lack of research concerning the chemical composition of white heat lines. The present study assessed the composition of white heat lines that form on burned bone using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with the potassium bromide (KBr) pellet method. The present study examined the effects of soft tissue and the retention of bone’s organic material, including naturally-occurring grease and water, on the development and appearance of a white heat line. Experimental remains consisted of isolated long bones from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), elk (Cervus canadensis), sheep (Ovis aries), and pig (Sus scrofa) in five physical conditions – fleshed (fresh bones with adhering soft tissue), very wet (recently defleshed bone, greasy), partially wet (defleshed, slight grease retention), dry (defleshed, naturally degreased), and soaked (formerly dry bone immersed in water). These bones were burned over a wood fire made within a 55-gallon drum. After a visual analysis to evaluate white heat line formation, chemical composition was analyzed by determining spectral peak heights of the carbonate (CO3) ν3 (1415 cm-1), phosphate (PO4) ν3 (1035 cm-1), and amide I (1660 cm-1) vibrational bands. These thermal signatures appear to form superficially, measuring approximately 1.5 mm in depth. Results indicate that white heat lines that formed on fleshed bone contain an increased amount of CO3, PO4, and amide I in comparison to their unburned controls, while those that formed on very wet bone contain decreased amounts instead. These findings further our knowledge of how fire modifies physical remains and the effect that bone’s physical condition prior to burning has on the development of a white heat line and the resulting compositional changes. In order to build upon the results gained from the present study, continuing research is needed to investigate compositional differences between white heat lines that form on fleshed versus very wet bone and to assess bone’s fat content as a possible contributing factor. Additional FTIR research is needed to assess the other vibrational bands of CO3, PO4, and amide that are present in bone.

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Matos, Ana Marta Neves de. "Influências tafonómicas na degradação óssea: análise experimental em modelos animais." Master's thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10316/81432.

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Dissertação de Mestrado em Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses apresentada à Faculdade de Medicina
O objectivo deste estudo é observar o comportamento de alguns factores a que um cadáver pode ser exposto, envolvendo traumatismos e alterações térmico-induzidas. Trata-se de um estudo experimental onde, recorrendo a modelos animais, se pretende simular o desenrolar de traumatismos em peças anatómicas previamente sujeitas à acção de diferentes temperaturas, bem como avaliar o seu comportamento pós-trauma a outras alterações térmico-induzidas.Os modelos animais foram fémures de porco (de animais abatidos para consumo humano e adquiridos num talho). Algumas destas peças anatómicas foram previamente congeladas, ou sujeitas a diferentes condições e temperaturas. A estas e a outras em estado fresco foram infligidos traumatismos contundentes utilizando-se um dispositivo mecânico com pêndulo, especialmente desenvolvido para o efeito, sendo a carga exercida avaliada através de sensores colocados nos ossos.Nem todos os resultados foram os esperados: um osso fresco (portanto preservando as suas propriedades elásticas e plásticas) fracturou com uma força de 60N, enquanto outro cozido não fracturou a 130N.Após a indução dos traumatismos, os ossos frescos e congelados foram sujeitos a temperaturas de 900ºC, numa mufla, com o objectivo de observar as modificações e alterações nas características do osso. Nos ossos previamente fracturados, observámos fragmentação e alargamento/aumento das fissuras na zona traumatizada. Havendo mesmo dificuldade em distinguir as fracturas provocadas pelo mecanismo pendular e as provocadas pela acção do calor. Observámos também uma elevada perda da massa das peças ósseas, na ordem dos 70%, indício claro da desidratação provocada pelas altas temperaturas.
The purpose of this study is to observe the behavior of some factors to which a cadaver can be exposed, involving traumas and thermal-induced changes. It is an experimental study where, using animal models, it is intended to simulate the evolution of trauma in anatomical parts previously subjected to the action of different temperatures, as well as to evaluate its post-trauma behavior to other thermal-induced changes.The animal models were pig femurs (from animals slaughtered for human consumption and purchased in a butcher's shop). Some of these anatomical parts were previously frozen, or subjected to different conditions and temperatures. To these parts and others in fresh condition blunt injuries were inflicted using a specially designed mechanical device with a pendulum, where the load exerted was evaluated by sensors placed in the bones.Not all results were as expected: a fresh bone (thus preserving its elastic and plastic properties) fractured with a force of 60N, while another baked bone did not fracture at 130N.After trauma induction, fresh and frozen bones were subjected to temperatures of 900°C in a muffle, in order to observe changes in bone characteristics. In previously fractured bones, we observed fragmentation and enlargement / increase of fissures in the traumatized zone. It was difficult to distinguish fractures caused by the pendulum mechanism and those caused by the action of heat. We also observed a high loss of the mass of the bone pieces, about 70%, a clear indication of the dehydration caused by the high temperatures.

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Wilson, Andrew S., Hilary I. Dodson, Robert C. Janaway, A. Mark Pollard, and Desmond J. Tobin. "Evaluating histological methods for assessing hair fibre degradation." 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/4580.

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The hair shaft has increasing importance in bioarchaeology, since it is now possible to retrieve detailed biomolecular information on recent life history using individual fibres (e.g., on diet, drug use and DNA). Data on hair condition is an important cornerstone to ensuring that reliable information is obtained. The following study defines morphological features of degradative change in human terminal scalp hair using different microscopy techniques. Evidence of degradative change is translated into a ranked histology for assessing hair sample condition. The approach is applied to samples of cut modern scalp hair subjected to degradation under soil burial/simulated grave conditions.

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Silva, Maria Beatriz Barreiro Gama da. "Where are the bones? um método ótico para distinção entre ossos termicamente alterados e escombros." Master's thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10316/92539.

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Dissertação de Mestrado em Antropologia Forense apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Atualmente, entre as maiores problemáticas que vivenciamos encontram-se os incêndios e os desastres em massa dos quais decorrem vítimas mortais. Neste âmbito, a Antropologia Forense ajuda na recolha de ossos/fragmentos ósseos e na sua posterior análise, com a finalidade de obter a identificação das vítimas. Contudo, o trabalho destes peritos é árduo nestes contextos em que existe ação do fogo sob os cadáveres, pois os ossos sofrem alterações (a nível de cor, forma e até dimensão) que, mesmo para o mais experiente antropólogo forense, podem suscitar dúvidas quanto à sua natureza (i.e., se é ou não osso). Por este motivo, o momento de recolha no local é deveras importante, sendo essencial coletar a maior quantidade possível de evidências. Como esta análise e recolha é principalmente feita com base na experiência e conhecimentos do perito são inúmeras vezes recolhidos materiais que, mais tarde, se verificam não ser de natureza esquelética. Deste modo, para que a recolha e identificação no local de material esquelético seja mais eficiente, pretendeu-se com este projeto desenvolver um método/técnica que auxilie na diferenciação entre material esquelético e escombros, baseado em propriedades como a refletância e a fluorescência. A amostra utilizada neste estudo inclui ossos humanos queimados, assim como ossos não-humanos queimados e fragmentos de destroços (metal, tecido e outros).Os ensaios realizados a nível da refletância mostraram-se pouco efetivos, na medida em que não se observou um padrão de resposta que permitisse a distinção entre material esquelético e escombros. A deteção de fluorescência foi realizada através de imagem (câmara fotográfica), de espectrometria de fluorescência e de espectroscopia de fluorescência induzida por laser (440 nm). Os resultados a nível da fluorescência foram mais promissores, registando-se respostas positivas em várias amostras, tendo sido os resultados obtidos através das diferentes metodologias concordantes entre si, na sua maioria. Observou-se também que variáveis como as condições de queima (combinação de duração e temperatura) ou até características individuais (patologias, por exemplo) desempenham um papel relevante causando algumas limitações na aplicação desta técnica. Esta dissertação fornece, assim, mais informações sobre a resposta de fluorescência que se pode obter em ossos queimados, complementando a literatura existente neste âmbito. Espera-se que futuramente estes resultados ajudem na criação de instrumentação portátil que possa ser utilizada em campo numa eventual situação de crime ou desastre envolvendo alterações térmicas, e deste modo agilizar o processo de recolha de material esquelético.
Two of the most concerning issues we face today worldwide are bushfires and mass disasters from which result fatal fire victims. Within this scope, Forensic Anthropology’s purpose is to aid the recovery of human remains and analyse them in order to obtain an identification of the victims. Notwithstanding, this is a harsh job, since the bones undergone fire-caused alterations can be unrecognizable and even mistaken for debris. They can get modified in terms of colour, shape and even size to the point that even the most experienced of anthropologists would find it hard to tell if it’s actually bone. Therefore, the moment of collecting evidence at the scene is very important and should be thorough to ensure maximum recovery of the remains.Since the process of recovery is essentially based on the expert’s experience and knowledge, quite often some non skeletal material is collected. In order to make the identification and recovery of skeletal remains more efficient, it’s the aim of this project to develop a method/technique that could help differentiate between skeletal remains and the debris, based on properties as reflectance and fluorescence.The sample used in this study encompasses burnt human bones, as well as burnt non-human bones and burnt debris (like metal, fabric and others). The reflectance experiments revealed to be quite ineffective, since it did not show a response pattern that allowed for a discrimination between skeletal remains and debris.Three techniques were used to detect fluorescence, which include imaging (with a camera), fluorescence spectrometry and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (440 nm). The results for fluorescence were slightly more promising, registering a positive response for several samples, with a general consistency of results between the different methodologies.Nevertheless, variables such as the burning conditions (time and temperature combination) or even individual characteristics (e.g., pathologies) have an important role, causing some limitations to the technique.The present dissertation provides more data about the fluorescence in burnt bones, complementing the existing literature on this topic. It is expected that in the near future the results gathered here will aid in building a portable device that could be used in the field on an eventual fire-altered scenario, and thus facilitate the process of recovery of skeletal material.

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Gilligan, Jamie. "An experimental clandestine grave: analysis of postmortem fractures and remains distribution of an intentional backhoe reinterment." Thesis, 2018. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/33000.

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Throughout history and around the globe millions of people have succumbed to genocide, war crimes, and massacres. The victims of these atrocious events are often buried together in mass numbers. Perpetrators avoiding detection, often utilize heavy machinery including, but not limited to, bulldozers, dump trucks, track hoes, and backhoes, to generate these mass burials. These machines can be employed in the primary burial process as well as the secondary burial process. The utilization of heavy machinery in intentional reinterment and primary burials is well documented in human rights crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, Iraq, Syria, and Cambodia. The use of heavy machinery in the intentional or unintentional excavation of human remains causes postmortem breakage to bone. This destructive process occurs due to accidents, construction activity, as well as a means to destroy and conceal evidence. This study looks at trauma inflicted from a reinterment of the remains of four juvenile Sus scrofa (pig). An experimental mass burial was created at Boston University’s Outdoor Research Facility. Months later, the grave was disturbed postmortem by a backhoe and transferred to a secondary inhumation site. The experimental mass grave was then exhumed following traditional forensic archaeological methodologies and mapped. This study analyzes backhoe taphonomy resulting from an intentional reburial of a mass grave and the distribution of remains after a secondary burial. The author hypothesizes that disarticulation and fragmentation of remains will occur as a result of backhoe burial and significant changes in horizontal and vertical plane of remains will occur. The author hypothesizes unique fracturing will occur from the trauma inflicted by a backhoe. Finally, the author hypothesizes that the frequencies of the number of fractures will differ between bones and the frequencies of fracture types will differ between bone types. This study shows that the backhoe causes disarticulation and fragmentation of remains. The frequency of fractures differed greatly between specimens. This research demonstrates that not all bone regions are equally damaged by a backhoe. The observed fractures included oblique, transverse, greenstick, posterior shear, mandibular body, linear, and diastatic fractures. Unique fracturing did not occur as numerous fractures were displayed. Additionally, this research is the first of its kind to investigate the effects of heavy machinery on clothed buried remains in a controlled environment. This study is also the first of its kind to investigate remains dispersal of known location in a primary and secondary burial in a controlled setting. Understanding how the compression, shear, and torsion forces from heavy machinery affect buried remains is of importance in today’s world. Many mass graves exist which have documentation that victims were buried with heavy machinery. These burials are still awaiting in-country stability for the exhumation of these mass graves. The author believes this research may aid in documenting war crimes and human rights violations. Unfortunately, genocide, war crimes, massacres, and mass inhumations are not terminating and the need for understanding the spatial distribution of remains in primary and secondary burials is pertinent for bringing voices to victims and families.

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Cameron, Alyce Clare. "Estimating the post-mortem interval of skeletal remains: a taphonomic approach." Phd thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/117019.

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Determining the post-mortem interval (PMI) of human remains is integral to certain forensic investigations. Reliably estimating the PMI of skeletal remains within a forensic context has been demonstrated to be particularly difficult (Buchan and Anderson 2001; Cattaneo 2007). There is still no definitive way to accurately estimate the PMI of skeletal remains despite the publication of numerous methods. This study used a controlled animal model experiment conducted over 24 months between May 2012 and April 2014 in the Canberra region, Australia. Twenty-four fully fleshed Sus scrofa (White hybrid pigs) and 24 Macropus giganteus (eastern grey kangaroo) carcasses were placed on the ground surface at the fieldwork site. Twelve carcasses of each species had cages built around them, while the remaining twelve carcasses of each species were left uncaged. Every four months (120 days), four carcasses of each species were collected (two caged and two uncaged). All carcasses were recorded during the fieldwork to examine the effect of taphonomic variables such as local environment, invertebrate activity and bone weathering. The uncaged carcasses were additionally recorded during fieldwork for vertebrate scavenging activity, disarticulation and scattering. Following the collection of carcasses at PMIs of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 months, additional analyses were undertaken on the remains of the caged carcasses: including microscopic quantification of the bone surface; infra-red and Raman spectroscopy; and nano-indentation. Each analysis was conducted to examine the potential use of each in estimating the PMI from skeletal remains. The results demonstrated that using taphonomic variables, such as scavenging, disarticulation or bone weathering to estimate the PMI, was unfeasible due to the influence the local environment has on these variables. However, the quantification of the bone surface demonstrated there was an increase in quantity and size (area and diameter) of pores over the 24 month period. Furthermore, there was a measurable decrease in the CH-Aliphatic content over the 24 months when measuring using either an infra-red or Raman spectrometer.

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Schotsmans, Eline M. J., J. Denton, Jonathan N. Fletcher, Robert C. Janaway, and Andrew S. Wilson. "Short-term effects of hydrated lime and quicklime on the decay of human remains using pig cadavers as human body analogues: Laboratory experiments." 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/10526.

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No
Contradictions and misconceptions regarding the effect of lime on the decay of human remains have demonstrated the need for more research into the effect of different types of lime on cadaver decomposition. This study follows previous research by the authors who have investigated the effect of lime on the decomposition of human remains in burial environments. A further three pig carcasses (Sus scrofa), used as human body analogues, were observed and monitored for 78 days without lime, with hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2) and with quicklime (CaO) in the taphonomy laboratory at the University of Bradford. The results showed that in the early stages of decay, the unlimed and hydrated lime cadavers follow a similar pattern of changes. In contrast, the application of quicklime instigated an initial acceleration of decay. Microbial investigation demonstrated that the presence of lime does not eliminate all aerobic bacteria. The experiment also suggested that lime functions as a sink, buffering the carbon dioxide evolution. This study complements the field observations. It has implications for the investigation of time since death of limed remains. Knowledge of the effects of lime on decomposition processes is of interest to forensic pathologists, archaeologists, humanitarian organisations and those concerned with disposal of animal carcasses or human remains in mass disasters.

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Keyes, Craig Adam. "A forensic taphonomic study into the differential decomposition rates and patterns of bodies subjected to varying degrees of burns." Thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/22454.

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A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree: MSc(Med) in Forensic Medicine Division of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 2016
Despite the high number of worldwide fatal burn cases investigated by forensic experts, there is a lack of literature on the effects of burning on soft tissue decomposition. The objectives of this study tested the reliability of the charred body scale (CBS), developed a TBS scoring system for specific burn levels, compared burned and unburned body decomposition rates and patterns, compared summer and winter decomposition rates, and determined if body region or CGS level effects individual body region decomposition. Six Sus scrofa domesticus carcasses were burned to different Crow-Glassman Scale (CGS) levels and left to decompose - two in winter (control, CGS level 2) and four in summer (unburned control, CGS level 1, CGS level 2, CGS level 3). Decomposition patterns, charred body scale (CBS) scores and unique burn level scores were recorded at 50 accumulated degree-days (ADD) intervals. A unique TBS method was developed for each CGS level. This study established that the CBS system is not a reliable method for scoring burned remains. Burning alters normal decomposition processes, including the abnormal bloating of the CGS level 1 pig and the absence of visible bloat in all CGS level 2 pigs. All CGS level pigs exhibited abnormal decomposition patterns. There is a significant difference (p=0.0002) in the decomposition rates of burned remains. The CGS level 1 pig decomposed furthest followed by the CGS level 3 pig, then CGS level 2 pig and finally the unburned control pig. Burning results in the earlier onset of decomposition stages in summer but significantly slows the decomposition rate in winter (p<0.0001). There is a significant interaction between CGS level and body region on the decomposition rate in winter (p<0.0001) and summer (p=0.0228). This research is novel in South Africa and internationally. These preliminary findings will assist forensic experts to better understand the context of burn cases and therefore postmortem events can be more accurately reconstructed.
MT2017

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Guez, Glenn. "Archaeology and dental forensic: what’s the relationship?" Master's thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10284/9490.

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Archaeology is a science combining numerous skills in a multidisciplinary approach. In the presence of human remains, its objectives are the recovery, identification, and analysis on an anthropological purpose to reconstruct the context of the individual's past lives. One of these approaches is in the forensic medicine sciences whose main purpose is the identification of human bodies through bones and teeth in deteriorated corpses. Archaeology and forensic medicine are therefore two intertwined sciences. The goal of this bibliographical review is to summarize the first steps to reconstruct the biological profile of a person using teeth as an object of study. Beginning by explaining the preservation and the type of the tooth sample, then by assessing the two most important biological factors being the sex and the age. This study does not cover all the existing tooth forensic aspects, but the most used one and the promising methods for archaeological context.
A arqueologia é uma ciência que combina uma abordagem multidisciplinar. Na presença de restos cadavéricos, os seus principais objetivos são a recuperação, identificação e análise com o propósito antropológico de reconstruir o contexto das vidas passadas do indivíduo. Uma dessas abordagens relaciona-se com a medicina forense, cujo objetivo principal é a identificação humana através da ossada e dos dentes em cadáveres deteriorados. A arqueologia e a medicina forense são, portanto, duas ciências interligadas. O objetivo desta revisão bibliográfica é resumir os primeiros passos para a reconstrução do perfil biológico de uma pessoa, utilizando as peças dentárias como objeto de estudo, começando por explicar a preservação e o tipo da amostra dentária e avaliando dois fatores biológicos, tais como o sexo e a idade. Este estudo não abrange todos os aspetos forenses dentários existentes, mas os métodos mais utilizados e os métodos mais promissores para o contexto arqueológico.

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Amarante, Ana Isabel Cesário da Costa de Matos. "Burned bones vs unburned bones: a pilot study about the impact of differential post-depositional taphonomy on bioanthropological research." Master's thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10316/33490.

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AMARANTE, Ana Isabel Cesário da Costa de Matos - Burned bones vs unburned bones: a pilot study about the impact of differential post-depositional taphonomy on bioanthropological research. Coimbra : [s.n.], 2016. Dissertação de Mestrado em Evolução e Biologia Humanas.
Archaeological and forensic contexts very often include skeletal remains that can result from accidental exposure to fire, mortuary practices, mass disasters or foul play. These burning events induce several changes on the morphology, dimensions and mass of skeletal remains which add to other changes that occur during burial such as surface and chemical alterations. These alterations may interfere with the reliability of bioanthropological methods based on metrics, mass, bioapatite crystallinity, C/P and CO3-2/P ratios. Thus it is very important to understand how post-depositional taphonomic processes affect burned bones and teeth over time. Skeletal remains, both unburned and burned, were experimentally buried under controlled conditions to investigate this issue. This research is designed to last 10 years but the first 8 months were the focus of this Master’s project. Unburned remains were used as a reference for comparison with the burned remains. The study sample was composed of 96 samples, 64 skeletal remains (32 cortical bones and 32 trabecular bones) and 32 teeth (third molars). Sixteen bones and 8 teeth remained unburned while the other 48 bones and 24 teeth were experimentally burned at three different temperatures (500o C, 900o C and 1050o C). The skeletal remains belonged to three un-reclaimed skeletons of unknown identity from the Capuchos Cemetery, in Santarém (Ferreira et al., 2014) while teeth were provided by different dental clinics and extracted from adult women, and were shallowly buried in containers with acidic soil and placed on the outdoors. Metrics, mass, bioapatite crystallinity and C/P and CO3-2/P ratios of 24 samples were documented before burial and during regular intervals (2 months) for the past 8 months. Another 24 samples were buried for 6 months and subjected to the same analyses. So far, the investigation found some differences in post-depositional behaviour between unburned and burned bones. Generally, the former tended to increase more in mass during the first two months, especially for unburned trabecular bones and for both trabecular and cortical bones burned at 500 oC. The remaining samples experienced less but still important mass increase. However, after eight months bone’s mass decreased slightly for all samples of both trabecular and cortical bones. Metrically, no substantial changes were found for most of both burned and unburned specimens but episodic cases of large variations were recorded. Finally, the crystallinity revealed some stability for trabecular and cortical bones and teeth, both unburned and burned at 500o C, contrary to trabecular and cortical bones and teeth burned at higher temperatures in which crystallinity index values are more unstable and higher. Both C/P and CO3-2/P remained quite stable during all observations. Our preliminary results suggest that, when dealing with buried remains: (i) caution is needed when using skeletal mass as a basis for bioanthropological inferences (it is often used as an indicator of skeletal completeness and minimum number of individuals); (ii) osteometric examination is apparently not impaired but more research is needed to explain outlier cases; (iii) the infrared spectroscopic estimation of temperature at which remains have been subjected appears to be affected mainly above 500o C. Expectantly, the subsequent investigation that will last until 2025 will help consolidating these first results and better determine how burial can affect bioanthropological methods.
Contextos arqueológicos e forenses incluem muitas vezes restos de esqueletos que podem resultar de uma exposição acidental ao fogo, práticas mortuárias, desastres em massa ou tentativa de omissão de cadáver. O processo de queima pode provocar várias alterações na morfologia, dimensão e massa dos restos humanos, que se acrescem às outras mudanças que ocorrem durante o enterramento, tais como alterações ao nível da superfície do osso ou alterações químicas. Estas alterações podem interferir com a fiabilidade dos métodos bioantropológicos, com base nos métodos osteométricos, na massa, na cristalinidade, e razões de C/P e CO3-2/P. Assim, é muito importante entender como os processos tafonómicos pós-deposicionais afetam os ossos e os dentes queimados ao longo do tempo. Os restos esqueléticos, quer não-queimados como queimados, foram experimentalmente enterrados sob condições controladas para investigar esta questão. Esta pesquisa está projetada para durar 10 anos, mas os primeiros 8 meses foram o foco do projeto desta tese. Os restos não-queimados foram usados como referência para comparação com os restos queimados. A amostra foi composta por 96 restos esqueléticos, 64 fragmentos ósseos (32 osso cortical e 32 ossos trabeculares) e 32 dentes (terceiros molares). Dezesseis ossos e 8 dentes permaneceram não-queimados, enquanto os outros 48 ossos e 24 dentes foram experimentalmente queimados a diferentes temperaturas (500 °C, 900 ºC e 1050 ºC). Os restos esqueléticos pertenciam a três esqueletos não reclamados e de identidade desconhecida do Cemitério dos Capuchos, em Santarém (Ferreira et al., 2014), enquanto os dentes foram fornecidos por diferentes clínicas dentárias e extraídos de mulheres adultas. Estes foram superficialmente enterrados em recipientes com solo ácido e colocados ao ar livre. Foram registadas as medidas, a massa, a cristalinidade e as razões de C/P e CO3-2/P de 24 amostras antes do enterro e durante intervalos regulares (2 meses) para os últimos 8 meses. Outras 24 amostras foram enterradas durante 6 meses e submetidas às mesmas análises. Até agora, com este estudo foi possível verificar algumas diferenças no comportamento pós-deposicional entre os ossos não-queimados e queimados. De um modo geral, as primeiras amostras a serem exumadas tenderam a aumentar mais em massadurante os dois primeiros meses, especialmente para os ossos trabeculares não-queimados e para os ossos trabeculares e corticais queimados a 500 ºC. As amostras restantes sofreram menos variações, mas ainda assim registou-se um importante aumento de massa. No entanto, após oito meses a massa óssea diminuiu ligeiramente em todas as amostras de ambos os ossos trabeculares e corticais. Quanto às medições efectuadas, não foram verificadas variações substanciais para a maioria das amostras, tanto queimadas como não-queimadas, no entanto foram registados casos esporádicos de grandes variações. Finalmente, a cristalinidade revelou alguma estabilidade para os ossos trabeculares e corticais e dentes, ambos não-queimados e queimados a 500 °C, contrariamente aos correspondentes queimados a elevadas temperaturas, em que os valores do índice de cristalinidade são mais instáveis e mais elevados. Ambas as razões C/P e CO3-2/P se mantiveram bastante estáveis durante todas as observações. Os resultados preliminares sugerem que, ao lidar com restos esqueléticos enterrados: (i) é necessário algum cuidado ao utilizar a massa esquelética como referência em inferências bioantropológicas (muitas vezes é usado como um indicador da integridade do esqueleto e para determinação do número mínimo de indivíduos); (ii) aparentemente a análise osteométrica não é prejudicada, mas mais estudos são necessários para explicar os casos de valores atípicos; (iii) a estimativa da temperatura a que os restos esqueléticos foram submetidos através de espetroscopia de infravermelhos parece ser afetada principalmente a temperaturas acima de 500 °C. Espera-se que investigações futuras, que durarão até 2025, venham ajudar a consolidar estes primeiros resultados e a determinar melhor como é que os enterramentos podem afetar os métodos bioantropológicos.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Forensic taphonomy'

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