1
|
Shehata TP, Krap T. An overview of the heat-induced changes of the chemical composition of bone from fresh to calcined. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:1039-1053. [PMID: 38270608 PMCID: PMC11004044 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03160-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
When bone is exposed to thermal stress, the chemical composition changes. This affects bone tissue regeneration after surgery, and these changes can also aid in reconstructing ante-, peri-, and post-mortem events in forensic investigations and past activities on cremation practices in archaeology. However, to date, no complete overview exists on the chemical composition of both fresh and thermally altered bone. Therefore, we aimed (i) to present the chemical composition of fresh bone and (ii) to present an overview of heat-induced chemical changes in bone under both reducing and oxidizing conditions. From the overview, it became clear that some chemical changes occur at a consistent temperature, independent of exposure duration, meaning there is a temperature threshold. However, the occurrence of other chemical changes appeared to be more inter-experimentally variable, and therefore, it is recommended to further investigate these changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Shehata
- University of Amsterdam, Spui 21, 1012 WX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tristan Krap
- Department of Medical Biology, Section Anatomy & Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam Medical Centre, Location Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Maastricht University, Minderbroedersweg 4-6, 6211 LK, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
D'Antonio G, Serinelli S, Albore M, Bolino G. Medico-legal scene investigation in the case of burned bodies - a systematic review. Med Leg J 2023; 91:226-230. [PMID: 37793642 DOI: 10.1177/00258172231191214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
A judicial on-site examination is essential for the correct analysis of a forensic case, particularly when there has been a fatal fire, as heat-related changes to bodies make identification by the forensic pathologist and other specialists difficult along with estimating the post-mortem interval and determining the precise cause and manner of death. We systematically reviewed all relevant articles dating from 2003 to 2022 in the PubMed database with a view to updating recommendations on how best to proceed. Our recommendations highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach involving various forensic specialists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianpiero D'Antonio
- Department of Anatomic, Histologic, Medico-Legal Sciences and of Locomotor System, Rome University Sapienza, Italy
| | - Serenella Serinelli
- Direzione Regionale Lazio - Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale, Italy
| | - Marco Albore
- Department of Anatomic, Histologic, Medico-Legal Sciences and of Locomotor System, Rome University Sapienza, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bolino
- Department of Anatomic, Histologic, Medico-Legal Sciences and of Locomotor System, Rome University Sapienza, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rosa J, Marques MPM, Gonçalves D, Ferreira MT. Half a century of systematic research on heat-induced colour changes in bone - A review. Sci Justice 2023; 63:573-580. [PMID: 37718004 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal human remains presenting heat-induced changes have been a focus of study for a long time. However, there is still a long way to go for the anthropologists to be able to fully interpret and understand these changes. Heat-induced colour modifications are one of the least understood phenomena in bone, displaying a variety of exceptions (e.g., tints of yellow, orange, blue, green, pink, and red) to the expected colour variations that bone can produce when exposed to high temperatures (i.e., ivory, brown, black, various shades of grey, and white). In addition to these, there is a lack of uniformization in the literature regarding the methods to determine the exact colourations observed and the nomenclature used, giving way to subjective descriptions. However, commitment to more objective and reliable methods is visible in more recent research. In this review, we compiled data published in the literature throughout the years to portray the state of the art regarding the potential of heat-induced colour changes for inferring the circumstances of death and the applicability of these methods in the legal framework.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana Rosa
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Functional Ecology, Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; "Química-Física Molecular", Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - M Paula M Marques
- "Química-Física Molecular", Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - David Gonçalves
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Functional Ecology, Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; Direção-Geral do Património Cultural, Laboratory of Archaeosciences (LARC), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Ferreira
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Functional Ecology, Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Schariatmadary P, Aalders MCG, Oostra RJ, Krap T. Temperature-specific spectral shift of luminescing thermally altered human remains. Int J Legal Med 2023:10.1007/s00414-023-03006-0. [PMID: 37178277 PMCID: PMC10247558 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03006-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Human bone has shown to have luminescent properties that remain throughout the phases of cremation, with the exception of fully carbonized bone, when excited with a narrow band light source. During this research, an alternate light source (420-470nm, peak at 445nm) was used to visualize and investigate latent details relevant for forensic investigations of human remains recovered at fire scenes. As fire is a destructive force, it induces a vast variety of physical and chemical alterations to all components of the bone, making the subsequent analysis and interpretation of burned human remains challenging. A spectral shift in emission bandwidth, from green to red, was previously observed when the exposure temperature increased from 700 to 800 °C. This spectral shift was reproduced on a total of 10 human forearms, divided into 20 segments, by burning at 700 °C and 900 °C in an ashing furnace. The shift of emission bandwidth caused only by an increase in temperature was furthermore investigated by colorimetric analysis, proving the spectral shift to be significant. By easily quantifying the spectral shift, substantiation is provided for the use of this technique in practice to improve the interpretation of heat induced changes of bone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parnia Schariatmadary
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maurice C G Aalders
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roelof-Jan Oostra
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Medical Biology, Section Clinical Anatomy and Embryology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tristan Krap
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Medical Biology, Section Clinical Anatomy and Embryology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Faculty of Law and Criminology, Maastricht Institute for Criminal Studies (MICS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Brandão ALC, Batista de Carvalho LAE, Gonçalves D, Piga G, Cunha E, Marques MPM. Differentiating present-day from ancient bones by vibrational spectroscopy upon acetic acid treatment. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 347:111690. [PMID: 37086578 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Acetic acid treatment for an accurate differentiation between ancient and recent human bones was assessed using Raman and FTIR-ATR spectroscopies. Each set of skeletal samples was analysed by these techniques, prior and after chemical washing, in order to determine the variations in bone´s chemical composition and crystallinity. Bone samples were collected from several independent sources: recent bones burned under controlled experimental conditions or cremated, and archaeological (XVII century and Iron Age). The effect of acetic acid, expected to impact mostly on carbonates, was clearly evidenced in the spectra of all samples, particularly in FTIR-ATR, mainly through the bands typical of A- and B-carbonates. Furthermore, as seen for crematoria and archaeological samples, acetic acid was found to remove contaminants such as calcium hydroxide. Overall, acetic acid treatment can be an effective method for removing carbonates (exogenous but possibly also endogenous) and external contaminants from bone. However, these effects are dependent on the skeletal conditions (e.g. post-mortem interval and burning settings). In addition, this chemical washing was shown to be insufficient for an unequivocal discrimination between recent and archaeological skeletal remains. Based on the measured IR indexes, only cremated bones could be clearly distinguished.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A L C Brandão
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - L A E Batista de Carvalho
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - D Gonçalves
- University of Coimbra, Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health (CIAS), 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; Archaeosciences Laboratory, Directorate General Cultural Heritage (LARC/CIBIO/InBIO), 1349-021 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - G Piga
- University of Coimbra, Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Sassari, DISSUF - Department of History, Human Sciences and Education, Italy
| | - E Cunha
- University of Coimbra, Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, 1169-201 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M P M Marques
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rosa J, Vassalo AR, Amarante A, Batista de Carvalho LAE, Marques MPM, Ferreira MT, Gonçalves D. Burned and buried: A vibrational spectroscopy analysis of burial-related diagenetic changes of heat-altered human bones. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2023; 180:534-547. [PMID: 36790610 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The analysis of burned human remains can be very challenging due to heat-induced alterations. Occasionally, human bones present these coupled with diagenetic changes, offering even more of a challenge, since there is a lack of studies regarding interactions between both taphonomic phenomena. With this study, we aimed to assess and document the effects of inhumation on the chemical composition of both unburned and burned human skeletal remains. MATERIALS AND METHODS We buried, for 5 years, four groups of human bone samples comprising unburned bones and bones experimentally burned at 500, 900, and 1050 °C. Periodic exhumations were carried out to collect bone samples to be analyzed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode, in order to calculate four chemical indexes: (1) crystallinity index (CI); (2) type B carbonates to phosphate index (BPI); (3) total carbonates (A + B) to carbonate B ratio (C/C); and (4) OH to phosphate ratio (OH/P). RESULTS After inhumation, CI and C/C of unburned bones and bones burned at 500 °C, and BPI of bones burned at 1050 °C did not vary significantly. However, the remaining indexes showed both relevant increments and reductions throughout observations, depending on burning temperature and index. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that diagenesis can have an effect in bone's molecular composition. However, these effects do not seem to significantly affect the conclusions that can be taken from the analysis of infrared bone spectra, at least in the case of inhumations with a duration of 5 years or less.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana Rosa
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Life Sciences, Center for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Chemistry, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Life Sciences, Research Center for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana R Vassalo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Life Sciences, Center for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Chemistry, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Life Sciences, Research Center for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Amarante
- Department of Life Sciences, Research Center for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Maria Paula M Marques
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Chemistry, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Ferreira
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Life Sciences, Center for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Life Sciences, Research Center for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - David Gonçalves
- Department of Life Sciences, Center for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Life Sciences, Research Center for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, Portugal.,Direção-Geral do Património Cultural, Laboratory of Archaeosciences (LARC), Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Festa G, Mamede AP, Gonçalves D, Cunha E, Kockelmann W, Parker SF, Batista de Carvalho LE, Marques MPM. In-Situ Anaerobic Heating of Human Bones Probed by Neutron Diffraction. Anal Chem 2023; 95:2469-2477. [PMID: 36638233 PMCID: PMC9893223 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The first neutron diffraction study of in-situ anaerobic burning of human bones is reported, aiming at an interpretation of heat-induced changes in bone, which were previously detected by vibrational spectroscopy, including inelastic neutron scattering techniques. Structural and crystallinity variations were monitored in samples of the human femur and tibia, as well as a reference hydroxyapatite, upon heating under anaerobic conditions. Information on the structural reorganization of the bone matrix as a function of temperature, from room temperature to 1000 °C, was achieved. Noticeable crystallographic and domain size variations, together with O-H bond lengths and background variations, were detected. Above 700 °C, the inorganic bone matrix became highly symmetric, devoid of carbonates and organic constituents, while for the lower temperature range (<700 °C), a considerably lower crystallinity was observed. The present pilot study is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the heat-prompted changes in bone, which can be taken as biomarkers of the burning temperature. This information is paramount for bone analysis in forensic science as well as in archeology and may also have useful applications in other biomaterial studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Festa
- CREF
- Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche “Enrico
Fermi”, Via Panisperna 89a, Rome00184, Italy
| | - Adriana P. Mamede
- Molecular
Physical Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Coimbra3004-535, Portugal
| | - David Gonçalves
- Centre
for Functional Ecology, Lab Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life
Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra3000-456, Portugal,Research
Centre for Anthropology and Health (CIAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra3000-456, Portugal,Archaeosciences
Lab, Directorate General Cultural Heritage (LARC/CIBIO/InBIO), Lisbon1300-418, Portugal
| | - Eugénia Cunha
- Centre
for Functional Ecology, Lab Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life
Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra3000-456, Portugal,Department
of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra3000-456, Portugal
| | - Winfried Kockelmann
- ISIS
Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, DidcotOX11 0QX, United
Kingdom
| | - Stewart F. Parker
- ISIS
Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, DidcotOX11 0QX, United
Kingdom,
| | | | - Maria Paula M. Marques
- Molecular
Physical Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Coimbra3004-535, Portugal,Department
of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra3000-456, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Weber A, Hoplight B, Ogilvie R, Muro C, Khandasammy SR, Pérez-Almodóvar L, Sears S, Lednev IK. Innovative Vibrational Spectroscopy Research for Forensic Application. Anal Chem 2023; 95:167-205. [PMID: 36625116 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Weber
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States.,SupreMEtric LLC, 7 University Pl. B210, Rensselaer, New York 12144, United States
| | - Bailey Hoplight
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Rhilynn Ogilvie
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Claire Muro
- New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center, Building #30, Campus Access Rd., Albany, New York 12203, United States
| | - Shelby R Khandasammy
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Luis Pérez-Almodóvar
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Samuel Sears
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Igor K Lednev
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States.,SupreMEtric LLC, 7 University Pl. B210, Rensselaer, New York 12144, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Festa G, Rubini M, Zaio P, Gozzi A, Libianchi N, Parker SF, Romanelli G, de Carvalho LAEB, Marques MPM. Vibrational spectroscopy to study ancient Roman funerary practices at the "Hypogeum of the Garlands" (Italy). Sci Rep 2022; 12:3707. [PMID: 35260648 PMCID: PMC8904470 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07689-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The “Hypogeum of the Garlands” is a sepulchral site, recently found in Grottaferrata (Lazio, Italy), dating back to the first-second century AD. Two sarcophagi were discovered inside, hosting the human remains of Aebutia Quarta, a rich Roman woman, and her son Carvilius Gemellus. While the body of Carvilius is exceptionally well-preserved, following its embalming and perfect sealing of the sarcophagus, in the case of Aebutia only the bones were preserved because of the sarcophagus’s seal breaking down, although she was covered with perfectly preserved flower garlands. Embalming of the body was a rare ritual in the Imperial Roman times when corpses were more often cremated. The remains of Aebutia showed possible traces of heating. Burned bones from a third individual were discovered on the chamber’s floor and preliminary anthropological survey showed that this individual was a male of 40–50 years old. Here, a combination of spectroscopic techniques, including non-destructive inelastic neutron scattering and Raman spectroscopy, and minimally destructive Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, were applied to the analysis of these bone samples to give information about ancient Roman funerary practices. The temperature and burning conditions were thus determined, showing that Aebutia Quarta was exposed to mild temperatures (200 °C) only in the upper part of the body, while the third individual was likely cremated as its bones were exposed to temperatures up to 900 °C in quasi-anaerobic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Festa
- CREF - Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Rome, Italy.
| | - M Rubini
- Anthropological Service S.A.B.A.P.-LAZ., Ministry of Culture, Tivoli, Italy.,Department of Archaeology, Foggia University, Foggia, Italy
| | - P Zaio
- Anthropological Service S.A.B.A.P.-LAZ., Ministry of Culture, Tivoli, Italy
| | - A Gozzi
- Anthropological Service S.A.B.A.P.-LAZ., Ministry of Culture, Tivoli, Italy
| | - N Libianchi
- Anthropological Service S.A.B.A.P.-LAZ., Ministry of Culture, Tivoli, Italy
| | - S F Parker
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - G Romanelli
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK.
| | - L A E Batista de Carvalho
- "Molecular Physical Chemistry" R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M P M Marques
- "Molecular Physical Chemistry" R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
These boots are made for burnin': Inferring the position of the corpse and the presence of leather footwears during cremation through isotope (δ13C, δ18O) and infrared (FTIR) analyses of experimentally burnt skeletal remains. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257199. [PMID: 34644308 PMCID: PMC8513878 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cremation is a complex mortuary practice, involving a number of activities of the living towards the dead before, during, and after the destruction of the bodily soft tissues by fire. The limiting information concerning these behavioral patterns obtained from the pyre remains and/or cremation deposits prevents the reconstruction of the handling of the corpse during the burning process. This pioneering study tries to determine the initial positioning of the corpse in the pyre and assess whether the deceased was wearing closed leather shoes during cremation through isotopic (δ13C, δ18O) and infrared (ATR-FTIR) analyses of experimentally burnt pig remains, used as a proxy for humans. The results obtained show that both the position of feet on or within the pyre and the presence of footwears may moderately-to-highly influence the oxygen isotope ratios of bone apatite carbonates and the cyanamide content of calcined bone in certain situations. By forming a protective layer, shoes appear to temporarily delay the burning of the underlying pig tissues and to increase the heat-shielding effect of the soft tissues protecting the bone mineral fraction. In such case, bioapatite bone carbonates exchange oxygen with a relatively more 18O-depleted atmosphere (due to the influence of lignin-derived oxygen rather than cellulose-derived oxygen), resulting in more pronounced decrease in the δ18Ocarb values during burning of the shoed feet vs. unshoed feet. The shift observed here was as high as 2.5‰. A concomitant isotopic effect of the initial location of the feet in the pyres was also observed, resulting in a top-to-bottom decrease difference in the δ18Ocarb values of shoed feet of about 1.4‰ between each deposition level tested. Finally, the presence of cyanamide (CN/P ≥ 0.02) seems to be indicative of closed footwear since the latter creates favorable conditions for its incorporation into bone apatite.
Collapse
|
11
|
Baptista A, Pedrosa M, Curate F, Ferreira MT, Marques MPM. Estimation of the post-mortem interval in human bones by infrared spectroscopy. Int J Legal Med 2021; 136:309-317. [PMID: 34613463 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02641-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In forensic anthropology, there is an inherent difficulty in estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI). This study aimed to assess whether there is a correlation between changes in the bone mineral component and the PMI estimation. Samples of femur and humerus from 80 identified individuals with known post-mortem interval were analyzed. Infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR) was applied for this analysis, several indices having been obtained from the infrared bands most representative of the bone's relative contents in carbonate and phosphate. Specific relationships between sex/age and PMI were attained: for larger PMIs, there was an increase in the amount of B-type carbonate (BPI), A-type carbonates (API), and in the carbonate/phosphate (C/P) ratio, and a decrease of the crystallinity index (CI) and in the carbonate ratio (C/C). Two particular infrared indices (CI and C/C) were identified as the most suitable for post-mortem interval estimation, especially in females, controlling the effects of sex and age (in the statistical analysis).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Baptista
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Mariana Pedrosa
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Curate
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Ferreira
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Centre for Functional Ecology, Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M P M Marques
- Molecular Physical Chemistry" R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3004-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Marques MPM, Batista de Carvalho LAE, Gonçalves D, Cunha E, Parker SF. The impact of moderate heating on human bones: an infrared and neutron spectroscopy study. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210774. [PMID: 34729208 PMCID: PMC8548792 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to analyse human bones exposed to low/medium temperatures (200-650°C) under experimentally controlled conditions, both oxidizing and reducing, using complementary optical and neutron vibrational spectroscopy techniques. Clear differences were observed between the aerobically and anaerobically heated bones. The organic constituents disappeared at lower temperatures for the former (ca 300°C), while they lingered for higher temperatures in anaerobic environments (ca 450-550°C). Unsaturated non-graphitizing carbon species (chars) were detected mainly for anaerobically heated samples, and cyanamide formation occurred only at 650°C in reducing settings. Overall, the main changes were observed from 300 to 400°C in anaerobic conditions and from 450 to 500°C in aerobic environments. The present results enabled the identification of specific spectroscopic biomarkers of the effect of moderate temperatures (less than or equal to 650°C) on human bone, thus contributing to a better characterization of forensic and archaeological skeletal remains subject to heating under distinct environmental settings. In particular, these data may provide information regarding cannibalism or ancient bone boiling and defleshing rituals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. P. M. Marques
- Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - L. A. E. Batista de Carvalho
- Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - D. Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
- Research Centre for Anthropology and Health (CIAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
- Archaeosciences Laboratory, Directorate General Cultural Heritage (LARC/CIBIO/InBIO), 1349-021 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - E. Cunha
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - S. F. Parker
- ISIS Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| |
Collapse
|