Inter-Species Variation in Bone Mineral Behavior Upon Heating

• NCJ Number: 234635
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2011 Pages: 571-579
• Author(s): Sophie Beckett, Ph.D.; Keith D. Rogers, Ph.D.; John G. Clement, Ph.D., B.D.S.
• Date Published: May 2011
• Length: 9 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); International Centre for Diffraction Data
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 18–23, 2008, in Washington, DC.

Annotation

This article explores the characterization of inter-species variation in bone mineral (b-HAP) is of relevance to forensic science and archeology, but has not previously been widely explored.

Abstract

Results of an investigation into unheated bone mineral and behavior of bone upon heating for 12 animal species (including human) demonstrate that b-HAP characteristics, quantitatively measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, exhibit significant inter-species variation. Human bone was found to be significantly different to all other species in terms of b-HAP lattice parameter values from unheated and heated bone and in terms of recrystallization behavior of b-HAP upon heating bone to 600 degrees C. The amounts of b-HAP thermal decomposition products were also significantly different for human bone heated to 1400 degrees C compared to those obtained for most other species. Therefore, there is potential for the development of an XRD-based method of species identification, particularly one that distinguishes human from non-human bone. (Published Abstract)