Burnt Human Remains Research Articles

Age estimation of burnt human remains through DNA methylation analysis.

The identification of human fire victims is a challenging task in forensic medicine. The heat-induced alterations of biological tissues can make the conventional anthropological analyses difficult. Even if the DNA profile of the victim is achieved, it is possible that no match can be found in a forensic DNA database, thus hindering positive identification. In such cases, any information useful to nail down a possible identity should be collected, such as DNA methylation analysis which could provide useful investigative leads. In the present study, five age-related epigenetic markers (ELOVL2, FHL2, KLF14, C1orf132, and TRIM59) were initially analysed in blood samples of 72 living Italian individuals of known age, using a Single Base Extension (SBE) assay. An age prediction model was built by multiple linear regression including all the markers (Mean Absolute Error, MAE: 3.15 years). This model was tested on 29 blood samples collected during autopsies from burnt human remains, already identified through DNA analysis, providing a MAE of 6.92 years. The model allowed a correct prediction in 79.3% of the cases (95% prediction interval), while six cases were associated with inaccurate predictions (min-max prediction error: 9.8-37.3 years). Among the different sample variables considered to explain these results, only the DNA degradation index was a relevant factor affecting the reliability of the predictions. In conclusion, the SBE typing of blood from burnt remains proved to be a reliable tool to estimate chronological age of most of the samples, also in consideration of its cost-effectiveness and the availability of CE sequencers in every forensic genetics laboratory.

The burning maze: The potential value of the human bony labyrinth in estimating sex of calcined remains.

Estimating sex from burnt human remains is a challenging task in bioanthropology, mainly due to their high level of alteration and fragmentation. Protected within the petrous part of the temporal bone, the bony labyrinth may be particularly valuable for assessing the sex of burnt remains. This prospective study aims at testing predictive models, already found reliable on unburnt bony labyrinths, to burnt specimens. Six discriminant functions were applied on six bony labyrinths of donated adult cadavers of known sex, before and after outdoor burning experiments. Comparisons between unburnt and burnt measurements were executed using Mann-Whitney U tests while shape and size differences induced by fire exposure were examined through a geometric morphometrics (GM) analysis. Predicted sex on unburnt bony labyrinths was consistent with known sex in five cases while a systematic misclassification for males was highlighted on burnt specimens. Higher values of shrinkage were found in males for two measurements included in the equations. GM analysis revealed significant differences in centroid size among males after calcination. Visualization of mean consensus of both female and male bony labyrinths evidenced a reduction in cochlear size and variations in the width and length of semicircular canals of burnt specimens. This exploratory study seems to confirm that designing sex estimation standards specifically for burnt bony labyrinth may be advisable. Understanding how the burning process could impact its morphology is highly recommended through further experiments on larger samples and in controlled environments.

Histomorphologic and Gravimetric Changes of Teeth Exposed to High Temperature - <i>In vitro</i> Study

Background: In forensic dentistry, odontologists have been particularly interested in the investigation of burnt human remains. The purpose of our research is to provide morphological, stereomicroscopic, histological, and gravimetric findings from the investigation of the effects of thermal processes on teeth.Teeth, being the hardest substance in the body, give valuable information for forensic analysis. Objective: Histomorphology and gravimetric changes in teeth exposed to different ranges of high temperatures. Methodology: Thirty-six mandibular premolar teeth extracted for therapeutic purpose were taken and exposed to the varying higher temperatures. Macroscopic, stereomicroscopic, histological analyses along with the dry weight estimation were recorded at each temperature gradient. Results: From a lower temperature to a higher temperature, the specific colour change of the tooth was yellowish-orange, metallic black bronze and chalky white. Stereo microscopically, we observed intact teeth at 100°C; the gradual formation of micro cracks, crown-enamel separations from the cervical margin, eggshell cracking at 500°C; and a completely shattered crown at 900°C. Decalcified sections show dilation in the dentinal tubular pattern at 300°C. Loss of typical architecture was noted at 400°C, with dentinal tubules exhibiting the vapor bubble appearance. In-ground section alterations on the scalloping nature of dentino enamel junction, coalescing radicular dentinal tubules and sand cracking appearance of the tooth were noted at 100°C, 300°C and 900°C, respectively. Significant reductions in the weight of the teeth samples were observed with higher temperatures. Conclusion: Incineration-induced morphologic, histologic, and gravimetric alterations may provide useful information regarding the temperature and duration of fire exposure. It might also assist in understanding the conditions of the fire.

Revisiting metric sex estimation of burnt human remains via supervised learning using a reference collection of modern identified cremated individuals (Knoxville, USA).

This study aims to increase the rate of correctly sexed calcined individuals from archaeological and forensic contexts. This is achieved by evaluating sexual dimorphism of commonly used and new skeletal elements via uni- and multi-variate metric trait analyses. Twenty-two skeletal traits were evaluated in 86 individuals from the William M. Bass donated cremated collection of known sex and age-at-death. Four different predictive models, logistic regression, random forest, neural network, and calculation of population specific cut-off points, were used to determine the classification accuracy (CA) of each feature and several combinations thereof. An overall CA of ≥ 80% was obtained for 12 out of 22 features (humerus trochlea max., and lunate length, humerus head vertical diameter, humerus head transverse diameter, radius head max., femur head vertical diameter, patella width, patella thickness, and talus trochlea length) using univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed an increase of CA (≥ 95%) for certain combinations and models (e.g., humerus trochlea max. and patella thickness). Our study shows metric sexual dimorphism to be well preserved in calcined human remains, despite the changes that occur during burning. Our study demonstrated the potential of machine learning approaches, such as neural networks, for multivariate analyses. Using these statistical methods improves the rate of correct sex estimations in calcined human remains and can be applied to highly fragmented unburnt individuals from both archaeological and forensic contexts.

Estimating age-at-death in burnt adult human remains using the Falys-Prangle method.

The Falys-Prangle-method assesses age-related morphological changes to the sternal clavicle end (SCE), enabling the observation of mature adults from the 5th decade onwards in unburnt human skeletal remains. The aim of this study is to investigate the applicability of the Falys-Prangle-method on burnt human remains. Fifty-two SCE of 40 cremated individuals (out of 86) from the William M. Bass collection of the Forensic Anthropology Center (Knoxville, Tennessee) of known age-at-death and sex are available for assessment. Surface topography, porosity, and osteophyte formation are evaluated, after which the calculated composite score is associated with the corresponding age range as described by Falys and Prangle. The method is also applied on an archaeological case study from Oudenburg, Belgium, dating to the Roman period. The assessed age ranges strongly agree with the true age ranges (α = 0.828), suggesting the Falys-Prangle-method to be applicable on burnt human remains. The case study from Oudenburg yields markedly improved age-at-death estimates, significantly enhancing our understanding of the age distribution within this community. Information on age-at-death is key in the construction of biological profiles of past individuals. The mature adult is often invisible in the archaeological record since most macroscopic age estimation methods do not distinguish beyond 46+ years old. Our study stresses the usefulness of a large-scale application of the Falys-Prangle-method, which will increase the visibility of mature adults, especially in archaeological burnt human skeletal collections, where such information is, at present, extremely difficult to obtain.

The Funerary Architecture of the La Tène Period in North-western Gaul and Southern Britain

This paper concerns the architecture of formal burials from the La Tène period in north-western Gaul and southern Britain. The research focuses on the shape and dimensions of sepulchral pits containing inhumed or burnt human remains, on the different materials used for the internal elements, and the external constructions and structures covering, framing, or marking the burials. The study of these data exposes the preferred choices in the funerary architecture of Gallic and British communities during the last five centuries bc. The results reveal different regional funerary groups within three main cross-Channel zones according to the architectural elements of the graves and the main treatments of the body. The distinct characteristics of these groups highlight their common features and relationships with neighbouring areas of the Continental and Atlantic zones.

The remains at Lethbridge's Pocket - the case against the Kenniff brothers.

On 30th March 1902 Police Constable George Doyle and Carnarvon Station manager Albert Dahlke were allegedly gunned down at Lethbridge's Pocket in Central Queensland. Approximately 90kg of ash and burnt human remains with articles belonging to the two men were later found in saddle bags left at the scene on a police horse. Subsequently two local cattle and horse thieves, Patrick and James Kenniff, were convicted in the Queensland Supreme Court of the wilful murder of Constable Doyle. Patrick was executed by hanging on 12th January 1903 and James had his sentence reduced to life imprisonment with hard labor. A number of irregularities were subsequently raised about the trial including the use of a "special" jury and the reliability of evidence from a witness who did not actually see the event. Forensic issues to be explored involve the accuracy of the descriptions of the carbonized material, whether the remains were actually those of Doyle and Dahlke, and whether the victims were dismembered before burning, as was alleged by the prosecution.

The circles of life: age at death estimation in burnt teeth through tooth cementum annulations.

Age at death estimation in burnt human remains is problematic due to the severe heat-induced modifications that may affect the skeleton after a burning event. The objective of this paper was to assess if cementochronology, which focuses on the cementum incremental lines, is a reliable method of age estimation in burnt remains. Besides the classical approach based on the counting of incremental lines, another approach based on the extrapolation of incremental lines taking into account the cement layer thickness and the incremental line thickness was investigated. A comparison of the performance of the two techniques was carried out on a sample of 60 identified monoradicular teeth that were recently extracted at dentist offices and then experimentally burnt at two maximum temperatures (400 and 900°C). Micrographs of cross-sections of the roots were taken via an optical microscope with magnification of ×100, ×200 and ×400. Incremental line counting and measurements were carried out with the ImageJ software. Age estimation based on incremental line counting in burnt teeth had no significant correlation with chronological age (p = 0.244 to 0.914) and led to large absolute mean errors (19 to 21years). In contrast, age estimation based on the extrapolation approach showed a significant correlation with known age (p = 0.449 to 0.484). In addition, the mean absolute error of the latter was much smaller (10 to 14years). The reason behind this discrepancy is the heat-induced dimensional changes of incremental lines that affect their visibility and individualization thus complicating line counting. Our results indicated that incremental lines extrapolation is successful at solving this problem and that the resulting age estimation is much more reliable.

Geophysical monitoring of simulated graves with resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, conductivity and GPR in Colombia, South America

In most Latin American countries there are significant numbers of both missing people and forced disappearances, ∼71,000 Colombia alone. Successful detection of buried human remains by forensic search teams can be difficult in varying terrain and climates. Three clandestine burials were simulated at two different depths commonly encountered in Latin America. In order to gain critical knowledge of optimum geophysical detection techniques, burials were monitored using: ground penetrating radar, magnetic susceptibility, bulk ground conductivity and electrical resistivity up to twenty-two months post-burial. Radar survey results showed good detection of modern 1/2 clothed pig cadavers throughout the survey period on 2D profiles, with the 250MHz antennae judged optimal. Both skeletonised and decapitated and burnt human remains were poorly imaged on 2D profiles with loss in signal continuity observed throughout the survey period. Horizontal radar time slices showed good anomalies observed over targets, but these decreased in amplitude over the post-burial time. These were judged due to detecting disturbed grave soil rather than just the buried targets. Magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity were successful at target detection in contrast to bulk ground conductivity surveys which were unsuccessful. Deeper burials were all harder to image than shallower ones. Forensic geophysical surveys should be undertaken at suspected burial sites.

Forensic investigation of burnt human remains

Forensic investigation of burnt human remains

Collective secondary cremation in a pit grave: A unique funerary context in Portuguese Chalcolithic burial practices

Perdigões is a large site with a set of ditched enclosures located at Reguengos de Monsaraz, Alentejo, South Portugal. Recently at the central area of this site burnt human remains were found in a pit (#16). This structure had inside human remains, animal bones (namely pig, sheep or goat, cattle, dog, deer and rabbit), shards, ivory idols and arrowheads. All have been subjected to fire and later deposited in that pit, resulting in a secondary disposal of human bones. The recovered fragmented human bones (4845.18g) correspond to a minimal number of 9 individuals: 6 adults and 3 sub-adults. The aim of this work is to document and interpret this funerary context based on the study of the recovered human remains. For that purpose, observations of all alterations due to fire, such as colour change and type of bone distortion, as well as anthropological data were collected. The data obtained suggest that these human remains were probably intentionally cremated, carefully collected and finally deposited in this pit. The cremation was conducted on probably complete corpses, some of them still fairly fresh and fleshed, as some bones presented thumbnail fractures. The collective cremation of the pit 16 represents an unprecedented funerary context for Portuguese, and Iberian Peninsula, Chalcolithic burial practices. Moreover, it is an example of the increasing diversity of mortuary practices of Chalcolithic human populations described in present Portuguese territory, as well as, in the Iberian Peninsula.

Vikingetidens gravskik i Danmark – Spor af begravelsesritualer i jordfæstegrave

Vikingetidens gravskik i Danmark – Spor af begravelsesritualer i jordfæstegrave

Reliable genetic identification of burnt human remains

The identification of severely burnt human remains by genetic fingerprinting is a common task in forensic routine work. In cases of extreme fire impact, only hard tissues (bones, teeth) may be left for DNA analysis. DNA extracted from burnt bone fragments may be highly degraded, making an amplification of genetic markers difficult or even impossible. Furthermore, heavily burnt bones are very prone to contamination with external DNA. We investigated whether authentic DNA profiles can be generated from human bones showing different stages of fire induced destruction (well preserved, semi-burnt, black burnt, blue–grey burnt, blue–grey–white burnt). DNA was extracted from 71 bone fragments derived from 13 individuals. Obtained genetic patterns (STRs and mtDNA sequences) were compared to the genetic pattern of the respective bodies. Our results show that the identification via DNA analysis is reliably and reproducibly possible from well preserved and semi-burnt bones. In black burnt bones the DNA was highly degraded and in some cases no nuclear DNA was left, leaving mitochondrial DNA analysis as an option. Blue–grey burnt bones lead only sporadically to authentic profiles. The investigation of blue–grey–white burnt bones barely led to reliable results.

Mortuary patterns in burial caves on Mangaia, Cook Islands

AbstractThe behavioural, cultural, and political implications of archaeological human remains in non‐mortuary, possibly culinary, contexts requires that we understand the range of mortuary practices in a particular region. Although several rockshelter sites on Mangaia, Cook Islands have yielded burned, fragmentary human bones in earth ovens that seem to support archaeological models and ethnohistoric accounts of ritual sacrifice and cannibalism, the absence of data on the range of Mangaian mortuary patterns obscures these interpretations. We describe burial patterns based on 40 above‐ground interments representing at least 92 individuals in caves of Mangaia, Cook Islands, in order to begin to develop an island‐wide perspective on mortuary patterns. Sampling both pre‐ and post‐European contact sites we found that multiple interments dominate probable pre‐contact burials (73%, 19 of 26) and single interments dominate post‐contact contexts (80%, eight of ten burials), probably reflecting the influence of Christianity on mortuary ritual. Subadults were more frequent in all post‐contact contexts suggesting alternative burial places, probably church cemeteries, for adults. Burial cave remains are broadly consistent with ethnohistoric accounts of interment in caves, however, they also illustrate additional burial practices and differences between time periods, such as primary body position and the role of multiple‐individual interments, which are not discussed ethnohistorically. The mortuary practices in Mangaian burial caves differ from burials associated with marae and seem completely unrelated to the presence of highly fragmentary and burnt human remains in pre‐contact rockshelter middens elsewhere on the island. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Exçavations in Berkshire

FURTHER particulars of the excavations on the Berkshire Downs to which reference was made in NATURE of August 18, p. 244, have been received from Mr. H. J. E. Peake. The site on which was discovered the skeleton of a dog was a round barrow on East Lockinge Down, which is mentioned in the bounds of Lakinge in a charter of A.D. 868. The remains were in the upper and larger of two holes in the chalk near the intersection of trenches dug across the barrow with the object of discovering the ditch, which was not visible on the surface. It was found that the highest point of the barrow is not in the centre. A small hole at the central point, about a foot in diameter, contained burnt human remains, but no grave furniture. The date suggested is the end of the Early Bronze or beginning of the Middle Bronze Age. The irregular round barrow in the parish of East Hendred, from which the remains of the two horses were obtained, was found to have no ditch. Beneath the skeletons of the horses were a number of small objects of Roman date, including fragments of an iron knife and the pin of a bronze fibula hinged to a La T ¨ne coil. Elsewhere in the barrow were numerous fragments of Romano-British pottery and a small bronze hook. The exploration of Cuckhamsley, or Scutchermer Knob, which is known to have been rifled about a hundred years ago, provided no evidence of burial; but a number of fragments of pottery, including finger-tip ware, consistent with a fifth century B.C. dating were turned up, while 2 ft. above were potsherds and a fragment of copper or bronze of foliated design. The mound is evidently not a bronze age barrow nor the burial place of a Saxon king; what the purpose of this remarkable construction may have been has not been revealed.

Report on a Bronze Age Grave and Two Others discovered last year at Camelon, Stirlingshire

The first discovery was a short cist containing cremated bone and a burnt flint scraper. The second of the cists contained a Food Vessel accompanied by unburnt and burnt human remains. The third longer cist contained fragments of a skeleton and an iron sword. A wheel-turned vessel of dark-coloured pottery, with a number of objects made out of thin sheet bronze or brass, and some much corroded fragments of iron and particles of wood was found nearby.