Patterned Thermal Destruction in a Forensic Setting

Symes, Steven A.; Rainwater, Christopher W.; Chapman, Erin N.; Gipson, Desina R.; Piper, Andrea L.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-800451-7.00002-4

Cited by 43 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…A comparison of this study's results with Symes et al's (2012) findings shows that relationship between the stages the bone undergoes during burning (dehydration, decomposition, inversion, fusion) and the metric traits of the kerf is not clear-cut and is not only influenced by these stages outlined by the literature (Mayne Correia 1997;Shipman et al 1984;Symes et al 2012;Thompson 2004). Therefore, it is evident that factors other than the ones already discussed by the literature (Schmidt and Symes 2005;Symes et al 1996;Symes et al 2005;Symes et al 2012;Symes et al 2015) play a critical role in the metric changes of kerfs when burnt in controlled laboratory conditions. These include the amount of heat, the time exposure, the weapons used for trauma infliction, and the sequence and preparation techniques of the bones.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 42%

Effects of Heat as a Taphonomic Agent on Kerf Dimensions

Végh

Rando

2018

AEFS

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The information that can be derived from the rate of preservation of cremated human remains is highly valuable for forensic anthropologists and bioarchaeologists. Especially when taphonomic agents, such as fire, are intentionally introduced to obscure lesions on the skeleton. When sharp force trauma is present on bones, one of the main questions that arise is whether it is possible to tell what instrument was used for trauma infliction. This study used quantitative methods to examine kerfs on bones treated with heat as a taphonomic agent. The experiment used three sharp-bladed weapons to inflict trauma on porcine long bones: a single bladed non-serrated kitchen knife, a hacksaw and a wood saw. The bones were de-fleshed and traumatized prior to maceration to produce trauma similar to that which occurs in the peri-mortem period. The traumatized bones along with control bones were burnt in controlled laboratory conditions at temperatures ranging from 300°C to 1000°C. Quantitative analysis was undertaken on both the macroscopic and microscopic (scanning electron microscopy) images. The cut-marks were clearly identifiable and distinguishable from heat related fractures at all temperatures. Shrinkage of the kerf dimensions were recorded only at 1000°C; all cut-marks' lengths shrank at this temperature, and all widths shrank as well, excepting marks from the wood saw, which instead showed an increase in maximum width. Individualization of the saws was not possible using only the metric traits. However, the class of the weapons (knife versus saw) could always be identified. It has been concluded that burning may cause fluctuation in kerf widths.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 42%

Effects of Heat as a Taphonomic Agent on Kerf Dimensions

Végh

Rando

2018

AEFS

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“…This is because, during the soft tissue pyrolysis caused by cremation, the outer surface of bones is exposed sooner to heat than the internal surface (Bohnert, Rost, & Pollak, ). Differential heat‐induced colour has been extensively used to discern burning patterns in the skeleton (Symes, Rainwater, Chapman, Gipson, & Piper, ; ; ). To tentatively approximate the intensity of burning, the scale of Buikstra and Ubelaker () was used.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The preburning condition of Chalcolithic cremated human remains from the Perdigões enclosures (Portugal)

Godinho

Gonçalves

Valera

2019

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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The Iberian Chalcolithic displayed a remarkable variety of funerary practices, which has been related to interpopulation differences, intrapopulation social‐cultural differences, and complex multistage funerary rituals. Perdigões, a Chalcolithic set of ditched enclosures, reflects such diversity including a wide array of funerary practices. Among those practices is cremation, which, despite relatively rare, is represented in different structures in Perdigões. One of these structures (Pit 40) presents an unparalleled high minimum number of individuals (n = 240), contrasting with nearby and coeval structures. In this study, we analyse heat‐induced bone changes and other archaeothanatological variables to tentatively assess the preburning condition of the human remains. The results of Pit 40 are also compared with other comparable contexts to assess if this unique context presents further funerary differences relative to those other contexts in, for example, body processing. Our results suggest preferential cremation of fleshed human remains, but burning of at least a minority of skeletonised remains and deposition of possibly unburned remains also likely occurred. Body processing appears to be comparable with that of the cremation contexts of Perdigões but contrasts with that of another nearby context (Dolmen of Olival da Pega 2b) in which burned bones were also found.

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“…Heterogeneous combustion of bone is not uncommon (Symes et al, 2015; see Chapter 2), but it may also suggest that the elements were not extensively stirred around in the fire, which should yield more uniform oxidation (McKinley, 2015; see Chapter 10) and, hence, coloration; it is also useful to help reconstruct body placement. The child's posterior occipital is black, with a sharp line of demarcation to grey/brown (Figure 16.4).…”

Section: The Human Remainsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The arms and legs appear to have been tightly flexed, which could relate to body placement. However, their positions are just as likely due to the contraction of soft tissue during heating(Symes et al, 2015; see Chapter 2). Beyond the anatomically approximate in situ distribution of skeletal elements, transverse fracturing and extensive warping of the bones(Figure 16.6) suggest that soft tissue was indeed present at the time of burning(Symes et al, 2015; see Chapter 2).…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%