NCJ Number
246839
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 59 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2014 Pages: 613-620
Date Published
May 2014
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article discusses a recently introduced method to determine the postmortem interval PMI based on quantification of the citrate content in bone was applied on the temporal bones and femora of 20 individuals buried in wooden coffins WO and body bags BB, respectively.
Abstract
A recently introduced method to determine the postmortem interval PMI based on quantification of the citrate content in bone was applied on the temporal bones and femora of 20 individuals buried in wooden coffins WO and body bags BB, respectively. Concerning known vs. calculated PMI, a significant difference between the temporal and the femur bone samples of the same individuals was observed in the BB group p = 0.012. In contrast, differences were insignificant for the WO group p = 0.400. Moreover, similar levels of underestimation of PMIs resulted from the analysis of the femora for both burial groups p = 0.247. Also, there was consistently less citrate preserved in the flat temporal bones as compared to the femora, indicating that the cortical layer of the long bones should be preferentially employed for citrate-based PMI estimations. The results call for additional research on subsurface-buried and surface-deposited remains to enhance the accuracy of the published PMI equation. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.