A potential new diagnostic tool to aid DNA analysis from heat compromised bone using colorimetry: A preliminary study

Forensic investigation of burnt human remains

“…39,40 Several studies have monitored the weight reduction of experimentally burnt bones and showed immediate weight reduction after heating. 28,36,38,[41][42][43] Though this decrease is drastic up to 400°C, it tends toward a plateau at approximately 700°C, stabilizing at approximately 60% of the original weight. According to Ortner and Turner-Walker, 44 compact bone is composed of 14% water and 24% organic matrix (by weight), with the remaining 62% classified as bone mineral, which would not be released through burning.…”

“…3,28 There are attempts to measure colors of burnt bones digitally using a colorimetry method based on the CIELAB (LAB based color model adopted by Comission Internationale de l'Eclairage, CIE) color space. 2,36 Fredericks et al studied the correlation between burnt bone coloration and success of DNA typing. 36 They applied the CIELAB colorimetry and conventional Munsell color scoring method for bone color description and concluded that there is potential for the color to be a diagnostic tool for the viability of DNA testing.…”

“…2,36 Fredericks et al studied the correlation between burnt bone coloration and success of DNA typing. 36 They applied the CIELAB colorimetry and conventional Munsell color scoring method for bone color description and concluded that there is potential for the color to be a diagnostic tool for the viability of DNA testing. 37 The colorimetry technique provides a highly objective and reproducible analysis, so it is expected to be applied in the future of burnt bone identifications.…”

“…28 In contrast to the weight alterations described earlier, the volume do not change until 600°C, but then decreased considerably above this temperature up to at least 1,100°C, by which temperature the bone volume is almost halved. This shrinkage occurs through a combination of losing collagen, 36,45 recrystallization of the hydroxyapatite (thus increased crystallinity), 6,45 chemical alteration of the hydroxyapatite to beta-tricalcium phosphate, 6,9,38,42 and the fusion of these crystals. 6,9 This shrinkage and subsequent significant deformation causes problems for anthropometric tests.…”

Establishment of the Specific Belonging of the Bones Subjected to the High Temperature Exposure at Medical Identification of the Lost Persons

“…Найбільш складною вважається судово-медична експертиза ідентифікації за спаленими кістковими рештками, коли відомі методи діагностики стають неприйнятними. Окремі автори намагались визначити температурні режими, внаслідок яких ще вдається провести ДНК ампліфікацію [1,2,3]. Встановлено, що вже після спалювання при температурі 210°С, протягом 2 годин чи навіть впродовж 45 хвилин при температурі 200°С ДНК виділити не вдається.…”