Determining the human origin of fragments of burnt bone: a comparative study of histological, immunological and DNA techniques

The forensic evaluation of burned skeletal remains: A synthesis

“…Experimental research indicates that in bone samples heated to temperatures between 800 8C and 1200 8C histological structure was preserved for analysis but human mitochondrial DNA and some human albumin did not survive [42]. At higher temperatures, histological structures can be altered as well [43].…”

Research potential and limitations of trace analyses of cremated remains

“…They explained the shift at lower temperatures (between 300 and 400 8C) as being the result of an oxygen isotope exchange between bioapatite and atmospheric water vapour because their samples had been exposed to air. Since the heated specimens in our experiment were not sealed from the atmosphere, we must take this mechanism into account as well, i.e., as an exchange reaction with an external low 18 O reservoir. However, Munro et al [63,64] suggest a second effect at temperatures of 700 8C and greater, probably due to structural and phase related changes including the loss of structural carbonate and the formation of CaO.…”

“…Stable isotope analysis of light elements (C, N) can provide clues to the life history of an individual, while 18 O-isotope analysis of bone apatite reveals information on an individual's probable geographic origin [26]. If DNA analysis fails, information gathered in this way could prove very useful, possibly leading to the identification of an individual based upon cremated bone remains.…”

“…Few studies focus on the possibility of amplifying authentic DNA (e.g. [17][18][19][20]; for a review see [5]) or the analysis of organic tissue components from cremated remains [14,21,13]. There is a pressing need for molecular genetic investigations on cremated remains, to provide assistance to forensic scientists in the clarification of criminal and civil cases, for example in the identification process of missing or deceased persons or in establishing kinship to resolve problems involving paternity, but also to help anthropologists find answers to pending historical questions.…”

Characterization and textural analysis of Middle Bronze Age Transdanubian inlaid wares of the Encrusted Pottery Culture, Hungary: a preliminary study

“…This variation may be the result of the use of different species or skeletal elements (diaphyseal vs non-diaphyseal bone) with differing proportions of cortical or cancellous bone (Boskey, 2001;Cattaneo et al, 1999;Jee, 2001;Mayne Correia, 1997). Alternatively, the age of the bone material prior to cremation may have varied.…”