The use of different detergents in skeletal preparations

Mahon, Trisha-Jean; Maboke, Nqobile; Myburgh, Jolandie

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110967

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Using these bags aids in the speed of future macerations, as more than one case can be simmered at a time, using the same amount of detergent. Overall, maceration by enzymatic action in detergent is the method recommended for future use in juveniles’ remains, and other studies have indicated its usefulness in other fleshed remains and burned remains [ 7 , 16 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a result, the level of soft tissue decomposition becomes negligible. The enzymatic detergent method has proven to be the best method for macerating porcine bones in different states (including burned bone) [ 7 , 16 ], and it is now the standard practice of the authors to use the enzymatic detergent method for adult human remains too. The authors note that, anecdotally, this method is best for adult human remains; however, it will be worthwhile for the present study to be replicated in the future using adult human remains.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A comparison of maceration methods for the preparation of infant skeletal remains for forensic anthropological analysis

Keyes,

Giltrow,

Mahon

2023

Int J Legal Med

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Very little literature currently exists prescribing which maceration method to use when preparing infant human remains, resulting in bone quality that is suitable for forensic anthropological analysis. The aim of the study was to test five maceration methods to determine which is most suitable for infant remains for forensic anthropological analysis. The sample included five neonate pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus), ranging between one to three days old. Five maceration methods were tested on the pig carcasses (one pig per maceration method) to determine their effectiveness. The methods included invertebrate maceration by meal worms, chemical maceration by bleach, chemical maceration by borax solution, enzymatic maceration by laundry detergent and sodium carbonate solution, and chemical maceration by sodium hypochlorite. A scoring method was created to assess the effectiveness of each maceration method. Invertebrate maceration and chemical maceration using bleach were the least successful methods of maceration (total maceration score = 8 respectively). Chemical maceration using borax and chemical maceration using sodium hypochlorite achieved complete maceration of the skeletal remains; however, they both resulted in artifacts that are unsuitable for forensic analysis (total maceration score = 14 respectively). Enzymatic maceration using laundry detergent and sodium carbonate was the most successful method (total maceration score = 17). The detergent technique subsequently successfully macerated all five sets of infant human remains. This study has validated that the enzymatic maceration technique using laundry detergent and sodium carbonate can be used to effectively macerate the remains of infant skeletal remains for forensic anthropological analysis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of maceration methods for the preparation of infant skeletal remains for forensic anthropological analysis

Keyes,

Giltrow,

Mahon

2023

Int J Legal Med

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“…Organic solvents such as gasoline, tetrachloride, xylene, acetone and alcohols are most often used to degrease bones, i.e. , to remove fat from bone marrow ( Mahon, Maboke & Myburgh, 2021 ). Unfortunately, many of these substances also have side effects such as flammability, toxicity, carcinogenicity and teratogenicity ( Recknagel et al, 1989 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degreasing and bleaching bones using light sources as a tool to increase the safety of teaching osteology at the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno

Horák

Pyszko

Páral

et al. 2022

PeerJ

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The key part of creating bone material for teaching is degreasing and whitening it. However, the substances used are often dangerous and toxic. We tested and compared safer methods based on two physical variables. These are light and heat. The material for our study was 45 femurs from 23 adult domestic dogs (Canis lupus f. familiaris). The bones were divided into three groups of 15 pieces according to the method used to remove muscles and ligaments from their surface. Five femurs from each group were exposed to three different light sources for 28 days—sunlight, warm light from a classical incandescent light bulb and cold light by a LED bulb. At regular intervals, the change in the colour of the bone surface and the amount of fat loss from the medullary cavity was also monitored. The best degreasing and bleaching results were achieved in macerated bones exposed to sunlight. They achieved the required condition as early as 21 days after the start of sun exposure. The biggest problem was haemoglobin, which permeated through the Haversian canals and discoloured the bone tissue. The results showed that the use of light and heat is a suitable and safe alternative to chemical methods of degreasing and bleaching bones. The disadvantage is the length of time, especially for native material.

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Effect of hot water maceration, rehydration, and soft tissue presence on 3D geometry of bone

Bittner-Frank,

Strassl,

Unger

et al. 2024

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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Purpose In forensic medicine, maceration is often essential for examining bone surfaces, serving purposes such as identifying cut marks, making geometric measurements, and determining the victim’s age. While hot water maceration removes soft tissue effectively, it is known to cause bone surface shrinkage. This raises the question of whether this effect is permanent or if it can be partially reversed through rehydration, considering the presence of soft tissue. Methods Computed tomography (CT) scans were conducted on the radii of 20 paired human anatomic forearm specimens. Subsequently, the radii were extracted, macerated in 60 °C water, CT-scanned in an air environment, rehydrated, re-implanted into the forearms, and CT-scanned again. Results Maceration resulted in a mean shrinkage of 0.12 mm on the outer bone surface. This shrinkage was nearly fully recoverable for the diaphysis after rehydration and accounting for soft tissue surrounding the bone. In contrast, the epiphysis showed permanent shrinkage, likely due to the loss of small bone fragments. Analysis of the inner bone surface indicated a smaller effect, but with significant standard deviations, especially for the epiphysis, possibly related to the less well-defined nature of the inner bone surface. Conclusion The epiphyseal surface of hot water-macerated bone will, on average, be approximately 0.15 mm deflated and cannot retain the original surface. On the other hand, the diaphyseal surface is less affected and can be nearly completely restored after rehydration and accounting for soft tissue surrounding the bone.

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The use of different detergents in skeletal preparations

Cited by 4 publications

References 17 publications

A comparison of maceration methods for the preparation of infant skeletal remains for forensic anthropological analysis

A comparison of maceration methods for the preparation of infant skeletal remains for forensic anthropological analysis

Degreasing and bleaching bones using light sources as a tool to increase the safety of teaching osteology at the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno

Effect of hot water maceration, rehydration, and soft tissue presence on 3D geometry of bone

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