Understanding clothed buried remains: the analysis of decomposition fluids and their influence on clothing in model burial environments

Ueland, Maiken; Forbes, Shari L.; Stuart, Barbara H.

doi:10.1007/s12024-018-0073-9

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Textiles used for wrapping/clothing the dead and fabric composition and decoration can significantly vary depending on the socioeconomic status of the dead, availability of sources (e.g., wool, silk, cotton, and leather), or technology. Wrapping cadavers has been found to prolong soft tissue decay (Forbes et al, 2005; Lee Goff, 1992; Voss et al, 2011), whereas the degradation of different fabrics can considerably vary depending on fabric composition (Janaway, 2002, 2008; Ueland et al, 2017, 2019). It should thus be expected that the characteristics of the textiles used in a burial context might have an effect on bone histology.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Textiles used for wrapping/clothing the dead and fabric composi- found to prolong soft tissue decay (Forbes et al, 2005;Lee Goff, 1992;Voss et al, 2011), whereas the degradation of different fabrics can considerably vary depending on fabric composition (Janaway, 2002(Janaway, , 2008Ueland et al, 2017Ueland et al, , 2019. It should thus be expected that the characteristics of the textiles used in a burial context might have an effect on bone histology.…”

Section: Bone Histology: Histotaphonomy-to-burial Typementioning

confidence: 99%

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Histological and stable isotope analysis of archeological bones from St. Rombout's cemetery (Mechelen, Belgium): Intrasite, intraindividual, and intrabone variability

Kontopoulos

Vijver

Robberechts³

et al. 2022

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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This study compares histological preservation in archeological bones from different burial types to unravel the histotaphonomy-to-funerary practices relationship. Αn intraskeletal approach is also adopted to explore intraindividual (inner ear part of the petrous bone vs. upper/lower limb long bones) and intrabone (proximal vs. distal diaphysis) variability in bone collagen preservation, δ 13 C, and δ 15 N. The aim is to (a) target bones that likely retain higher amounts of collagen, (b) better understand the inner ear bone collagen isotopic signature and remodeling, and (c) assess intrabone isotopic and histological homogeneity. For the histological analysis, the data have been collected from 61 specimens (20 individuals) from the medieval/ postmedieval cemetery of St. Rombout, Belgium. Thin sections have been studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy. For the collagen and isotopic data, 101 samples have been collected from 21 individuals. Distinct histological patterns are observed only in bones from single coffin burials; however, bone histology can display intraindividual and intrabone variability, which are important to account for interpretations. Collagen wt.%, δ 13 C, and δ 15 N show significant intraindividual differences but insignificant intrabone variability. This study also confirms the extraordinary nature of the petrous bone, as the inner ear bone collagen δ 13 C and δ 15 N values reflect the dietary input of the first approximately 2-3 years of life.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Bone Histology: Histotaphonomy-to-burial Typementioning

confidence: 99%

Histological and stable isotope analysis of archeological bones from St. Rombout's cemetery (Mechelen, Belgium): Intrasite, intraindividual, and intrabone variability

Kontopoulos

Vijver

Robberechts³

et al. 2022

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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“…The influence of decomposition fluids on clothing [ 30 ] was investigated by burying seven pig carcasses with each wearing a cotton t-shirt, polyester briefs and polyester-cotton socks, along with seven control graves containing this identical clothing. The carcasses and control graves were exhumed after 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months.…”

Section: Damage Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpol review of fibres and textiles 2019-2022

Lepot

Vanhouche

Driessche

et al. 2023

Forensic Science International: Synergy

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“…Establishing the time elapsed for unattended death scenes is crucial for investigators to formulate a timeline of events that facilitates identification of the victim, possible suspects and corroboration of witness statements and alibis. Alongside tracking visual deterioration of the grave-associated textiles, anatomical accumulation and composition of decomposition fluids into cadaver clothing also assists in PMI estimation (5)(6)(7). During the active-bloat and purge stages, the carrion begins to release lipid-, protein-and carbohydrate-rich by-products of the degradation processes (8).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…License: CC BY-NC 4.0 total extractable phosphorus and ninhydrin-reactive nitrogen (NRN) showed promise as a tool for the estimation of PMI (8,10). However, the novel tracking of cadaveric fluids into cotton and polyester, as described by both Ueland and Collins (6,11) infer that the natural migration of these measurable decomposition fluids into the surrounding environment may be subsequently impeded in both human and porcine models. It is also well understood that the presence, type and, weight of wrapping or clothing can delay or enhance progression through the decomposition stages (12,13).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gravesoil derived postmortem interval using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the influence of carrion-associated fabric.

Watson,

Assi,

Ralebitso Senior

2024

Preprint

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Establishing time elapsed for unattended death scenes is crucial in formulating a timeline of events facilitating death investigations. However, traditional postmortem interval (PMI) methods rely on visually evaluating physical atrophy and are closely influenced by both biotic and abiotic variables associated with carrion. During the bloat stage, carrion produces a characteristic landscape known as the cadaver decomposition island (CDI), through the propagation of fluids rich in decomposition by-products. Here, attenuated total reflectance- Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR) was employed as a non-invasive, low input, low preparation interface for determining PMI from simulated Mus musculus burial gravesoil. Furthermore, understanding the influences of environmental and inter-individual differences in gaining accurate PMI is important to validate, prior to implementation to enhance the current forensic toolkit. It is documented that the presence, type and weight of clothing interferes with progression through decomposition. The subsequent impacts of clothing material (cotton, polyester, viscose) on CDI footprint development will be reflected in the biological and chemical characteristics of this ecosystem. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the IR spectra showed two clusters of samples corresponding to control and gravesoil. PC loadings plot showed that the 3100 - 1000 cm-1 spectral range attributed for over 95% of the variance. Bands within this range are ascribed to the presence of lipids, proteins and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as byproducts of mammalian decomposition. Overall, presence and fabric type impacted decomposition, spectral CDI detection and grave discrimination. This study questions the efficacy of proxy size and microcosm design in conducting applicable forensic research in lieu of taphonomy facilities or ethical constraints.

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Understanding clothed buried remains: the analysis of decomposition fluids and their influence on clothing in model burial environments

Cited by 8 publications

References 21 publications

Histological and stable isotope analysis of archeological bones from St. Rombout's cemetery (Mechelen, Belgium): Intrasite, intraindividual, and intrabone variability

Histological and stable isotope analysis of archeological bones from St. Rombout's cemetery (Mechelen, Belgium): Intrasite, intraindividual, and intrabone variability

Interpol review of fibres and textiles 2019-2022

Gravesoil derived postmortem interval using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the influence of carrion-associated fabric.

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