Evidence of Arteriosclerosis in Cremated Remains

Abstract

Severely burned or cremated human remains (i.e., cremains) are among the most challenging cases investigated by forensic pathologists, odontologists, and anthropologists. Exposure to extreme heat of long duration destroys all organic components of the body, leaving only the inorganic component of the skeleton. The numerous calcined osseous or dental fragments that remain after the cremation process rarely convey useful information to the investigator. In most cases, it is associated nonosseous artifacts that provide evidence of the decedent's identity. In a case investigated at the University of Florida's C. A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory, as well as in several cases examined during data collection for a research project, several fragments were identified as calcined plaque tubules from sclerotic blood vessels. These tubules provide direct evidence that the cremated individual had a variety of arteriosclerosis.

Research potential and limitations of trace analyses of cremated remains

“…To our knowledge UV-fluorescence of cremated bone was occasionally reported in the past (e.g. [47]) but never investigated on experimentally burned bones exposed to different temperatures. Details to the causes of fluorescence are still unknown, but it is assumed that both the collagen and mineral fraction of bone tissue contribute to the blue fluorescence of unburned bone [48].…”

The forensic evaluation of burned skeletal remains: A synthesis

“…For example, evidence of arteriosclerosis has been reported to survive commercial cremation [37]. Non-skeletal inclusions, such as surgical materials, dental restorations and identification tags can survive cremation and be useful for identification [38,12].…”

Spontaneous Human Combustion in the Light of the 21st Century

“…28 Besides osteological material, other structures, such as calcined plaques from sclerotic blood vessels, can be found among the ashes after cremation process. 29 The most severely burned areas in SHC are typically the middle of the body, involving the chest and the abdomen. Interestingly, this is the opposite of what is usually seen in flame burn victims, whose feet, hands, and head are much more extensively damaged.…”