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We outline issues with a recent publication by Mein and Williams (2023), which is primarily based on the morphology and quantification of osteocyte lacunae, microscopic cavities that house cells (osteocytes) which sustain bone tissue in living vertebrates. Using 26 rats (Rattus rattus) of unreported age and sex, the authors propose a method whereby post-mortem bone degradation on a short timescale can be quantified by analysing subtle shape changes of osteocyte lacunae. However, a lack of consideration is given to the natural variation and other biological factors influencing osteocyte lacunar morphology; the proposed diagenetic composition of lacunae is not determined; and the methods employed, including the animal model used, are unfit for the purpose of the study. Given these issues, we believe the conclusions presented by the authors should be treated cautiously and not extended to forensic investigations of post-mortem interval, particularly in humans. ....
The location of human remains is performed primarily through the aid of cadaver detection dogs, which rely on the malodour produced through decomposition of decaying bodies. Malefactors will attempt to conceal these putrefactive odours through chemical additions such as lime, which is also wrongly believed to accelerate decomposition and prevent the identification of the victim. Despite the frequency of lime in forensic applications, to date no research has been performed to determine its effect on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during human decomposition. This research was therefore conducted to ascertain the effects of hydrated lime on the VOC profile of human remains. Two human donors were used in a field trial at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER): one donor was covered with hydrated lime, and the other had no chemical additions acting as a control. VOC samples were collected over a period of 100 days and analysed using comprehensiv ....
Archaeological ostrich eggshell (OES) bead assemblages manifest in a variety of colours that result from exposure to high temperatures. It is unclear, however, whether this colouration is taphonomic, through post-depositional heat exposure, or the consequence of intentional heat treatment of OES to produce a desired colour (or for some related purpose). In this study, we investigate the latter question using controlled and actualistic heating techniques to determine (1) if OES beads remain usable following exposure to high temperatures and (2) whether abrasive wear that occurs prior to heat treatment can be distinguished from wear that occurs after heat exposure. Twelve sets of 20 OES beads were manufactured and subject to one of two investigative tracks. Track 1 simulated abrasive wear using a rock tumbler before heat treatment in either a muffle furnace or wood-burning fire. Track 2 beads were heat treated prior to abrasion. The results demonstrate that indirect exposure to a wood-bu ....
Providing accurate and reliable measures of decomposition is paramount for forensic research where decomposition progress is used to estimate time of death. Mass loss is routinely used as a direct measure of biomass decomposition in ecological studies, yet few studies have analysed mass loss in a forensic context on human cadavers to determine its usefulness for modelling the decomposition process. Mass loss was examined in decomposing human and pig cadavers, and compared with other common decomposition metrics, such as total body score (TBS). One summer and one winter field decomposition experiment was conducted using human and pig cadavers, as pigs are often used as proxies for human cadavers in forensic research. The two measures of decomposition revealed two contrasting patterns of decomposition on pigs and humans, particularly in winter where TBS stabilised at similar values, but mass loss differed greatly. Mass loss was found to be faster in pigs than humans during early decompos ....