Evaluation of Parameters for Estimating the Postmortem Interval of Skeletal Remains Using Bovine Femurs: A Pilot Study

Nagai, Masashi; Sakurada, Koichi; Imaizumi, Kazunori; Ogawa, Yoshinori; Uo, Motohiro; Funakoshi, Takeshi; Uemura, Kenichiro

doi:10.3390/diagnostics10121066

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Bone samples were divided into four groups based on PMI, and it was found that the expression of target microRNA in bone samples from group 1 (PMI < 1 month) was statistically different from other groups. Other research focused on microRNA with similar conclusions and shorter PMI [48][49][50].…”

Section: Small Particles For Pmi: Evaluation Of Bone Components Inclu...mentioning

confidence: 55%

Estimation of Late Postmortem Interval: Where Do We Stand? A Literature Review

Franceschetti

Amadasi

Bugelli³

et al. 2023

Biology

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Estimating time since death can be challenging for forensic experts, and is one of the most challenging activities concerning the forensic world. Various methods have been assessed to calculate the postmortem interval on dead bodies in different stages of decomposition and are currently widely used. Nowadays, the only well-recognized dating technique is carbon-14 radioisotope measurement, whereas other methods have been tested throughout the years involving different disciplines with different and sometimes not univocal results. Today, there is no precise and secure method to precisely determine time since death, and late postmortem interval estimation remains one of the most debated topics in forensic pathology. Many proposed methods have shown promising results, and it is desirable that with further studies some of them might become acknowledged techniques to resolve such a difficult and important challenge. The present review aims at presenting studies about the different techniques that have been tested in order to find a valuable method for estimating time since death for skeletal remains. By providing a comprehensive overview, the purpose of this work is to offer readers new perspectives on postmortem interval estimation and to improve current practice in the management of skeletal remains and decomposed bodies.

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Section: Small Particles For Pmi: Evaluation Of Bone Components Inclu...mentioning

confidence: 55%

Estimation of Late Postmortem Interval: Where Do We Stand? A Literature Review

Franceschetti

Amadasi

Bugelli³

et al. 2023

Biology

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“…Three elemental measurements of the outer edge of the cortical bone were taken per sample and averaged to give one overall reading per sample. Eight elements were selected using current literature 34 , 52 as guidance; calcium and phosphorus to represent bone minerals, potassium, sodium, and iron to represent bodily fluids, and magnesium, zinc, and barium to represent trace elements. For analysis, the mass (%) of each selected element was calculated using analytical software in standardless quantitative mode.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…41 A loss in iron has also been observed <12 months PMI and has been associated with the breakdown of blood cells. 34 Studies have also noted changes to zinc, 52 manganese, and magnesium 41 occurring over time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 38 , 39 , 41 , 47 , 48 Bone exchanges elements with the deposition environment and changes to the elemental composition of bone are found in both archaeological contexts, 49 – 51 and short timescale studies. 34 , 36 , 39 , 41 , 52 , 53 Various elements have been studied as part of diagenesis research, particularly calcium and phosphate due to their presence in bone minerals. Iron, sodium, and potassium are related to bodily fluids, while other elements are present in trace amounts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recognition of the Presence of Bone Fractures Through Physicochemical Changes in Diagenetic Bone

Mein,

Jones,

Tennick

et al. 2023

Appl Spectrosc

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Much research has focused on attempting to understand the drivers of bone diagenesis. However, this sensitive process is easily influenced by various factors, particularly the condition of the remains (i.e., whether they have been subjected to trauma). Previous research demonstrates that trauma can influence soft tissue decomposition, yet to date, no studies have looked at how bone fractures could affect bone diagenesis. To address this gap, two short timescale studies were conducted to investigate the influence of bone fractures on the physicochemical composition of disarticulated, partially fleshed animal remains. Disarticulated porcine bones were either fractured using blunt force or sharp force whilst fresh (producing perimortem damage), at 60 days producing postmortem damage (postmortem interval (PMI)), or left intact and left outside for up to 180 days post-fracture/240 days PMI. Retrieved bone sections were then analyzed for physicochemical differences using non-destructive methods, i.e., scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance. It was hypothesized that differences would be found in the physicochemical composition between the bones with fractures and those without after undergoing diagenetic change. The bone fractures significantly affected the elemental composition of bone over time, but structural composition initially remained stable. It was also possible to distinguish between perimortem and postmortem fractures using these two analytical techniques due to physicochemical differences. This research shows bone fractures can significantly alter the physicochemical composition of the bone during the postmortem period and have the potential to facilitate more accurate PMI estimations in forensic contexts.

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