Identification of cremains using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and a comparison to trace element analysis

Bergslien, Elisa; Bush, Mary A.; Bush, Peter J.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.07.004

Cited by 27 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…The OCP-mediated cement transformed into carbonated hydroxyapatite (HAp) 6 weeks after being mixed. It showed a characteristic broad XRD peak, and all reflections observed 6 weeks after mixing corresponded well to those found in biological apatite [23][24] . A FT-IR spectrum implied that OCPmediated cement transforms into carbonated HAp with carbonate ions.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Self-sealing ability of OCP-mediated cement as a deciduous root canal filling materia

et al. 2010

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The densification process and canal sealing ability of octacalcium phosphate (OCP)-mediated cement were investigated for developing biocompatible and biodegradable root canal filling material for deciduous root. The results of the characterization revealed that the starting paste, which consisted of monocalcium phosphate monohydrate, calcium carbonate, and α-tricalcium phosphate, gradually transformed into carbonate apatite for 6 weeks of immersion in medium with 30% fetal bovine serum (MEM30). The canal sealing ability was estimated by dye penetration test. Three kinds of conditions were chosen for the test: one was the cement just after filling the single-rooted extracted human roots; the others were the cement aged in MEM30 for 1 and 6 weeks after filling, respectively. All roots were then immersed in India ink for 3 days. The penetration depth of OCP-mediated cement decreased significantly with time. This demonstrates that OCP-mediated cement has self-sealing ability.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Self-sealing ability of OCP-mediated cement as a deciduous root canal filling materia

et al. 2010

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“…, has already been successfully applied in forensic cases . Other methods for “spot testing” a sample's elemental composition to determine whether it is indeed of osseous origin are proton‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) , X‐ray diffraction (XRD), plasma‐optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES) , or X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) . One disadvantage of XRF is that the low Z‐elements, elements occurring below Ca, can be difficult to detect in handheld devices.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy‐Dispersive X‐Ray (SEM/EDX): A Rapid Diagnostic Tool to Aid the Identification of Burnt Bone and Contested Cremains

Ellingham

Thompson

Islam

2017

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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This study investigates the use of Scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) as a diagnostic tool for the determination of the osseous origin of samples subjected to different temperatures. Sheep (Ovis aries) ribs of two experimental groups (fleshed and defleshed) were burned at temperatures of between 100°C and 1100°C in 100°C increments and subsequently analyzed with the SEM-EDX to determine the atomic percentage of present elements. Three-factor ANOVA analysis showed that neither the exposure temperature, nor whether the burning occurred with or without soft tissue present had any significant influence on the bone's overall elemental makeup (p > 0.05). The Ca/P ratio remained in the osseous typical range of between 1.6 and 2.58 in all analyzed samples. This demonstrates that even faced with high temperatures, the overall gross elemental content and atomic percentage of elements in bone remain stable, creating a unique "fingerprint" for osseous material, even after exposure to extreme conditions.

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“…Due to this trend toward greater use of cremation, the number of litigations against funeral homes and cremation facilities is expected to increase (2)(3)(4). Forensic anthropologists are often asked to determine whether the contents of an urn are consistent with cremains, and also to address questions regarding the identity of the remains (2,(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). In previous research, metric analysis has been successful for identifying inconsistencies between a set of cremains and a decedent using equations that take into account aspects of the biological profile, such as sex, stature, and weight (2,5,11,14,16).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In previous research, metric analysis has been successful for identifying inconsistencies between a set of cremains and a decedent using equations that take into account aspects of the biological profile, such as sex, stature, and weight (2,5,11,14,16). In addition, chemical analysis can be used to characterize urn constituents to determine whether they represent osseous or nonosseous material and to identify possible evidence of commingling (3,4,7,8,10,(17)(18)(19)(20).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Case of Contested Cremains Analyzed Through Metric and Chemical Comparison

Bartelink

Sholts

Milligan

et al. 2015

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Since the 1980s, cremation has become the fastest growing area of the U.S. funeral industry. At the same time, the number of litigations against funeral homes and cremation facilities has increased. Forensic anthropologists are often asked to determine whether the contents of an urn are actually cremated bone, and to address questions regarding the identity of the remains. This study uses both metric and chemical analyses for resolving a case of contested cremains. A cremains weight of 2021.8 g was predicted based on the decedent's reported stature and weight. However, the urn contents weighed 4173.5 g. The urn contents also contained material inconsistent with cremains (e.g., moist sediment, stones, ferrous metal). Analysis using XRD and SEM demonstrated that the urn contained thermally altered bone as well as inorganic material consistent with glass fiber cement. Although forensically challenging, cremains cases such as this one can be resolved using a multidisciplinary approach.

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Identification of cremains using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and a comparison to trace element analysis

Cited by 27 publications

References 9 publications

Self-sealing ability of OCP-mediated cement as a deciduous root canal filling materia

Self-sealing ability of OCP-mediated cement as a deciduous root canal filling materia

Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy‐Dispersive X‐Ray (SEM/EDX): A Rapid Diagnostic Tool to Aid the Identification of Burnt Bone and Contested Cremains

A Case of Contested Cremains Analyzed Through Metric and Chemical Comparison

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