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Human remains may be found in, and subsequently recovered from aquatic environments due to natural land erosion (from both modern and archeological cemeteries on flood plains), accidents (drownings as well as boating and/or ferry disasters), criminal activities (intentional drowning or disposal of remains), suicides, or natural disasters (e.g., Hurricane Katrina) [1,2]. The aquatic decomposition cycle, which may include periods of floating, submersion, and fluvial transportation, may make the discovery and recovery of remains

When deaths occur in water, soft tissue decomposes after a temperature-dependent period, making DNA identification dependent on bone. This study examined the effects of water on bone DNA purity and quantity, and determined the best of three extraction methods for isolating DNA. The organic phenol-chloroform method consistently extracted DNA approximating the accepted 260/280 purity value (~1.8); ChargeSwitch® gDNA Plant Kit and DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit produced fair and unacceptable values, respectively. The purity value for humerus and rib samples was consistent across accumulated degree days (ADD). Significant differences in quantification among extraction methods and between bone types were identified. Ribs and ChargeSwitch® gDNA Plant Kit samples produced the lowest mean Ct values of the bone types and the extraction methods, respectively. Therefore, this study proposes that magnetic bead technology extraction methods and ribs be considered when processing bones that have been submerged in water for any length of time.

Water-related deaths occur due to unintentional drowning, boat/ ship disasters, and plane crashes. As a means of disposal, human bodies can be intentionally deposited in lakes or rivers, or other bodies of water after murder (a famous example is of Emmett Till). In many cases, recovered remains from the water bodies consist predominantly of bones, as bones can be protected from environmental deterioration (though the amount of protection varies based on the aquatic conditions) [1]. In water, bones of the pelvis and thorax remain as articulated units the longest, and hence have a better chance of recovery from submerged remains [1, 2]. Despite its highly mineralized composition, bone is more susceptible to accelerated degradation in water than on land [3, 4]. Recovery of good-quality deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from waterlogged bone is challenging, and hence selection of DNA extraction method is the first step in optimum recovery of host DNA and subsequent Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profile generation from waterlogged bones. Previous studies [5-10] have examined DNA extraction methods from bone, though they were mainly focused on bones recovered from terrestrial environments. Vass et al. [6] conducted research on human nails, ribs, and other tissue and suggested that DNA in ribs and teeth can survive for extended

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