DOCSLIB.ORG

The Fate of Lipids in Archaeological Burial Soils

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Fate of Lipids in Archaeological Burial Soils The fate of lipids in archaeological burial soils Kimberley Ann Green PhD University of York Chemistry July 2013 The fate of lipids in archaeological burial soils Abstract Geochemical techniques have been developed in order to systematically analyse soils collected from several burial sites. Through the extraction and GC analysis of burial soils organic signatures that inform an understanding of the burial environment, including aspects relating to the individual or culture in which they lived, have been obtained. GC analysis revealed that the profiles of several lipid signatures found in the burial soil samples, including n-alkanes, n-alkanals, n-alkanols, fatty acids and steroids, have shown similarities to signatures relating to degraded human adipose tissue and bacterial signatures. The abundance of lipid signatures increases around the skeletal remains, particularly the gut region, which suggests that these components are present because of the remains. Fatty acids and steroids have been typically found in the analysis of tissues from mummies and bog bodies and are also present in adipocere, although the oxidative degradation products (hydroxy fatty acid and diacids) that have also been observed in these tissues have been absent during this study. However fatty acid reduction products such as n-alkanes, n-alkanals and n-alkanols have been observed in several of the graves suggesting that the remains can undergo microbial reduction in the soil. In addition several specific signatures that are exclusive to only a few samples from the remains have provided information on the nature of the burial. The presence of coprostanol in the burial samples has the potential to infer on the individuals last meal, while the presence of specific resin acids within the soil provides information on the materials used to construct a coffin. The presence of pine diterpenoids observed in a burial from Iceland has suggested that materials, such as pine, were imported at the time as pine trees are not native to Iceland. Another specific plant signature, Hopenone b, has further revealed information about the nature of the burial inferring that the plant Cypress Spurge (also known as grave yard weed) was present within close proximity to the grave. i The fate of lipids in archaeological burial soils Table of contents Abstract.....................................................................................................................i Table of contents......................................................................................................ii List of tables.............................................................................................................x List of figures..........................................................................................................xi Acknowledgements...............................................................................................xxi Author’s declaration.............................................................................................xxii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 The study of archaeological human remains 2 1.2 Organic matter from human remains 3 1.2.1 Biomarker concept 5 1.2.2 Transformation of biological molecules 6 1.2.3 Effects of burial environment on the degradation of biological material 11 1.3 Chemical analysis 13 1.3.1 Mummies 14 1.3.2 Bog bodies 16 1.3.3 Forensic Studies 18 1.4 Soil organic matter (SOM) 20 1.4.1 Mobility of lipids in soils 22 1.5 Analytical Techniques 24 1.5.1 Extraction 24 1.5.2 GC analysis 25 1.5.2.1 FID detection 26 1.5.3 Mass spectrometry 26 1.5.3.1 Electron ionisation 26 ii The fate of lipids in archaeological burial soils 1.6 InterArChive 28 1.6.1 Sampling strategy 28 1.6.2 Aims 30 CHAPTER 2: EVALUATION OF ANALYTICAL METHODS 32 2.1 Introduction 33 2.1.1 Sample storage 33 2.1.2 Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) 33 2.1.3 Fractionation 35 2.1.4 GC 36 2.1.4.1 GC preparation 36 2.1.4.2 GC-FID 36 2.1.4.3 Fast GC 37 2.2 Results and discussion 38 2.2.1 Sample storage 38 2.2.2 ASE 39 2.2.3 Fractionation 40 2.2.4 GC analysis 46 2.2.4.1 Derivatisation 46 2.2.4.2 GC-FID 47 2.2.4.3 Fast GC 48 2.3 Conclusions 49 iii The fate of lipids in archaeological burial soils CHAPTER 3: COMPOSITION AND DISPLACEMENT OF LIPIDS IN SOILS FROM IRON AGE AND ROMAN BURIALS 51 3.1 Introduction 52 3.2 Heslington East (HE09) 52 3.2.1 Site description and sampling 52 3.2.2 Results and Discussion 55 3.2.2.1 Bulk soil analysis 55 3.2.2.2 Total extracts 59 3.2.2.3 Hydrocarbon and aromatic fractions 59 3.2.2.4 Medium polar fractions 61 3.2.2.5 High polar fractions 63 3.2.3 Conclusion 68 3.3 Basly (LCB) 69 3.3.1 Site description and sampling 69 3.3.2 Results and Discussion 73 3.3.2.1 Bulk soil analysis 73 3.3.2.2 Total extracts 76 3.3.3 Conclusion 79 3.4 Thessaloniki (NSS) 80 3.4.1 Site description and sampling 80 3.4.2 Results and Discussion 84 iv The fate of lipids in archaeological burial soils 3.4.2.1 Bulk soil analysis 84 3.4.2.2 Total extracts 87 3.4.2.3 Hydrocarbon and aromatic fractions 87 3.4.2.4 Medium polar fractions 90 3.4.2.5 High polar fractions 90 3.4.3 Conclusion 93 3.5 Conclusions 94 CHAPTER 4: DISTRIBUTIONS AND FATE OF LIPIDS IN MEDIEVAL AND 16TH CENTURY BURIALS 97 4.1 Introduction 98 4.2 Syningthwaite (CGS09) 98 4.2.1 Site description and sampling 98 4.2.2 Results and Discussion 102 4.2.2.1 Bulk soil analysis 102 4.2.2.2 Total extracts 104 4.2.2.3 Hydrocarbon and aromatic fractions 106 4.2.2.4 Medium polar fractions 108 4.2.2.5 High polar fractions 108 4.2.3 Conclusion 109 4.3 Edinburgh (ETS08) 110 4.3.1 Site description and sampling 110 v The fate of lipids in archaeological burial soils 4.3.2 Results and Discussion 114 4.3.2.1 Bulk soil analysis 114 4.3.2.2 Total extracts 117 4.3.2.3 Hydrocarbon and aromatic fractions 117 4.3.2.4 Medium polar fractions 120 4.3.2.5 High polar fractions 124 4.3.3 Conclusion 127 4.4 Mechelen (G422) 128 4.4.1 Site description and sampling 128 4.4.2 Results and Discussion 133 4.4.2.1 Bulk soil analysis 133 4.4.2.2 Hydrocarbon and aromatic fractions 136 4.4.2.3 Medium polar fractions 138 4.4.2.4 High polar fractions 139 4.4.3 Conclusion 144 4.5 Conclusions 146 CHAPTER 5: COFFIN BURIALS FROM NORTHERN EUROPE 150 5.1 Introduction 151 5.2 Iceland (HST-11) 151 5.2.1 Site description and sampling 151 5.2.2 Results and Discussion 154 vi The fate of lipids in archaeological burial soils 5.2.2.1 Bulk soil analysis 154 5.2.2.2 Hydrocarbon fractions 156 5.2.2.3 Aromatic fractions 157 5.2.2.4 Medium polar fractions 158 5.2.2.5 High polar fractions 159 5.2.3 Conclusion 162 5.3 Sala (RAA) 163 5.3.1 Site description and sampling 163 5.3.2 Results and Discussion 166 5.3.2.1 Bulk soil analysis 166 5.3.2.2 Total extracts 168 5.3.2.3 Hydrocarbon and aromatic fractions 169 5.3.2.4 Medium polar fractions 170 5.3.2.5 High polar fractions 171 5.3.3 Conclusion 174 5.4 Thaon (TESP) 176 5.4.1 Site description and sampling 176 5.4.2 Results and Discussion 179 5.4.2.1 Bulk soil analysis 179 5.4.2.2 Total Extracts 183 5.4.2.3 Hydrocarbon fractions 184 5.4.2.4 Aromatic fractions 184 vii The fate of lipids in archaeological burial soils 5.4.2.5 Medium polar fractions 189 5.4.2.6 High polar fractions 192 5.4.3 Conclusion 193 5.5 Conclusions 194 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK 198 6.1 Conclusions 199 6.1.1 Analytical strategy 199 6.1.2 GC amenable components 200 6.1.2.1 Lipids associated with the remains and their origins 200 6.1.2.2 Degradation pathways inferred from the analysis of grave soils 204 6.1.3 Variability of molecular signatures with anatomical position 207 6.1.4 Transportation of lipid signatures 208 6.1.5 Specific molecular signatures associated with archaeological human remains 210 6.2 Overall conclusions 212 6.3 Future work 213 CHAPTER 7: EXPERIMENTAL 215 7.1 General procedures 216 viii The fate of lipids in archaeological burial soils 7.2 Glassware 216 7.3 Sample collection 216 7.4 Drying, grinding and sieving 217 7.5 Elemental analysis 217 7.5.1 Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur (CHNS) 218 7.5.2 Total organic carbon (TOC) 218 7.6 Extraction of grave soils 219 7.7 Sample fractionation and derivatisation 219 7.7.1 Fractionation 219 7.7.2 GC sample preparation 220 7.8 GC analysis 220 7.8.1 GC-FID 220 7.8.2 Fast GC 221 7.8.3 GC-MS 221 Abbreviations 222 References 224 ix The fate of lipids in archaeological burial soils List of Tables Chapter 2 Table 2.1: Classification of Rapid GC (Matisova and Domotorova, 2003) .......38 Table 2.2: List of parameters for the ASE method................................................39 Chapter 3 Table 3.1: Samples collected from grave HE09 713 726, including sample numbers and the locations from which they were collected .................................55 Table 3.2: Samples collected from grave LCB 2121, including sample numbers and the locations from which they were collected.................................................72 Table 3.3: Samples collected from grave NSS Tφ182 including sample numbers and the locations from which they were collected.................................................83 Chapter 4 Table 4.1: Samples collected from grave CSG09 G2, including sample numbers and the locations from which they were collected...............................................101 Table 4.2: Samples collected from grave ETCS08 6B, including sample numbers and the locations from which they were collected...............................................113 Table 4.3: Samples collected from grave G422, including sample numbers and the locations from which they were collected............................................................132
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Review of Adipocere Formation on Decomposing Bodies by Jess Lawn
    Review of adipocere formation on decomposing bodies By Jess Lawn A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Forensic Science (Professional Practice) in The School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University Principal Supervisor: Paola A. Magni Academic Supervisor: Associate Professor James Speers Semester 1, 2017 1 Declaration I declare that this manuscript does not contain any material submitted previously for the award of any other degree or diploma at any university or other tertiary institution. Furthermore, to the best of my knowledge, it does not contain any material previously published or written by another individual, except where due references has been made in the text. Finally, I declare that all reported experimentations performed in this research were carried out by myself, except that any contribution by others, with whom I have worked is explicitly acknowledged. Signed: Jess Lawn Dated: 15/07/2017 ii Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to thank Dr Paola A. Magni for her guidance and constructive feedback during the construction of this paper. I would also like to thank my family for their constant support and encouragement throughout this process and beyond. iii Table of Contents Title page…………………………………………………………………………………………………… i Declaration………………………………………………………………………………………………… ii Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………………………… iii Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………………. iv Part One Literature Review………………………………………………………………………………………. 1‐56 Title Page...................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Quantification of Adipocere Degradation with and Without Access to Oxygen and to the Living Soil
    1 Quantification of adipocere degradation with and without access to oxygen and to the living soil Heinz-Christian Fründa*, Dirk Schoenenb a Department of Landscape Architecture and Agricultural Sciences, Fachhochschule Osnabrück – University of Applied Sciences, Oldenburger Landstrasse 24, D-49090 Osnabrück, Germany b Hygiene-Institut, Universitätsklinik Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany * Tel. +49 541 969 5052, Fax +49 541 969 5170 Email [email protected] Abstract Adipocere is formed from body fat in moist and oxygen-deficient decay conditions. The persistence of adipocere may cause problems for the reuse of graves after the expiration of statutory resting times in some countries. Up to now, no quantitative data existed on the persistence of adipocere in either aerated or anoxic conditions. We investigated the rate of degradation (disappearance) of adipocere in five different samples from human corpses. The experimental incubation was: a) in water without air contact, b) in water with access to air, c) in physiological saline with access to air, d) on sterilized quartz sand, e) in vitro on living soil, f) buried 15 cm deep in field soil. The weight loss of the samples was determined after 215 (293) days and half-lives were calculated under the assumption of simple first-order kinetics. Furthermore, the nitrogen content and the fatty acid composition of the adipocere samples were analysed. The results revealed half-lives that differ between the adipocere samples from 11 to 82 years under anaerobic conditions (mean of all samples = 37 years). In air, the half-life of adipocere was reduced to about one tenth, ranging from 0.7 to 10 years (mean of 2.8 years for all samples incubated in aerated physiological saline, mean of 4.0 years for all samples incubated on living soil in the laboratory).
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of the Burial Environment on Adipocere Formation Shari L
    Forensic Science International 154 (2005) 24–34 www.elsevier.com/locate/forsciint The effect of the burial environment on adipocere formation Shari L. Forbesa,*, Barbara H. Stuartb, Boyd B. Dentc aCentre for Forensic Science, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Australia bDepartment of Chemistry, Materials and Forensic Science, University of Technology, PO Box 123, Broadway 2007, Sydney, Australia cDepartment of Environmental Sciences, University of Technology, PO Box 123, Broadway 2007, Sydney, Australia Received 4 November 2003; accepted 15 September 2004 Available online 10 November 2004 Abstract Adipocere is a decomposition product comprising predominantly of saturated fatty acids which results from the hydrolysis and hydrogenation of neutral fats in the body. Adipocere formation may occur in various decomposition environments but is chiefly dependent on the surrounding conditions. In a soil burial environment these conditions may include such factors as soil pH, temperature, moisture and the oxygen content within the grave site. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of these particular burial factors on the rate and extent of adipocere formation. Controlled laboratory experiments were conducted in an attempt to form adipocere from pig adipose tissue in model burial environments. Infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry were employed to determine the lipid profile and fatty acid composition of the adipocere product which formed in the burial environments. The results suggest that adipocere can form under a variety of burial conditions. Several burial factors were identified as enhancing adipocere formation whilst others clearly inhibited its formation. This study acts as a preliminary investigation into the effect of the burial environment on the resultant preservation of decomposing tissue via adipocere formation.
    [Show full text]
  • PART a Tissues and Fluids
    Human Remains: Decay, DNA, PART A Tissues and Fluids COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL The decay, discovery and 1 recovery of human bodies Chapter o utline The Dead Body The Stages of Decomposition Factors Affecting the Speed of Decay Discovery and Recovery of Human Remains Determining the Age and Provenance of Skeletonized Remains Future Developments Quick Quiz Project Work Objectives Compare the chemical and physical characteristics of the different stages of decomposition. Explain how a body ’ s rate of decomposition is affected by the way in which death occurred and the environment in which it is placed. Compare the conditions that promote the formation of adipocere and of mummifi cation and how these processes preserve body tissues. Compare and contrast the various techniques by which a dead body may be located and retrieved. Evaluate the potential and limitations of radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis as means of determining the age and geographical origin of human remains. The d ead b ody The time before a person dies is known as the ante mortem period whilst that after death is called the post mortem period. The moment of death is called the ‘ agonal Essential Forensic Biology, Second Edition Alan Gunn © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 12 THE DECAY, DISCOVERY AND RECOVERY OF HUMAN BODIES period ’ – the word being derived from ‘ agony ’ because it used to be believed that death was always a painful experience. Either side of the moment of death is the peri mortem period although there is no consensus about how many hours this should encompass. It is important to know in which of these time periods events took place in order to determine their sequence, the cause of death and whether or not a crime might have been committed.
    [Show full text]
  • A Preliminary Comparison of Human and Pig Lipid Decomposition
    1 The Initial Changes of Fat Deposits during the Decomposition of Human and Pig Remains Stephanie J. Notter,1∗ B.Sc.; Barbara H. Stuart,1 Ph.D.; Rebecca Rowe,1 B.Sc.; Neil Langlois,2 M.D. 1Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia. 2Department of Forensic Medicine, Westmead Hospital, PO Box 533, Wentworthville, NSW 2145, Australia. ∗ To whom correspondence should be addressed Short title –Fat deposit changes in human and pig remains 2 ABSTRACT: An examination of the early stages of adipocere formation in both pig and human adipose tissue in aqueous environments has been investigated. The aims were to determine at what stage this decomposition product first appears and to determine the suitability of pigs as models for human decomposition. Subcutaneous adipose tissue from both species after immersion in distilled water for up to six months was compared using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Changes associated with decomposition were observed, but no adipocere was formed during the initial month of decomposition for either tissue type. Early-stage adipocere formation in pig samples during later months was detected. The variable time courses for adipose tissue decomposition were attributed to differences in the distribution of total fatty acids between species. Variations in the amount of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were also detected between species. The study shows that differences in total fatty acid composition between species need to be considered when interpreting results from experimental decomposition studies using pigs as human body analogues.
    [Show full text]
  • Decay Process of a Cadaver 85
    Decay Process of a Cadaver 85 Chapter 5 Decay Process of a Cadaver João Pinheiro Summary Because forensic anthropologists and pathologists can be confronted in their pro- fessional practices with bodies or mortal remains in different states of preservation and/or decay, it is essential for this book to have a chapter that fully documents the pathway of a body from its death until disintegration. The different ways a corpse can progress from putrefaction directly (or not) to skeletonization, passing through conservation processes such as saponification or mum- mification are presented here, always taking into account the forensic relevance of each stage, the time and conditions needed, as well as the duration. Full, illustrated examples of cases that have contributed to solve forensic questions are provided. Factors that might influence the speed of putrefaction and the interrelations—through chemical reactions between these processes—are also debated. Key Words: Decay; decomposition; putrefaction; saponification; adipocere; mum- mification; skeletonization; disarticulation; forensic; autopsies. 1. INTRODUCTION It is common for forensic anthropologists and pathologists to be con- fronted in their professional practice with bodies or human remains states of preservation and/or decay that are not entirely to their liking, such states being outside their knowledge and experience. The forensic pathologist generally feels more at ease with a fresh body, whereas the forensic anthropologist would certainly prefer to work with dry bones. Ideally, the forensic anthropologist From Forensic Anthropology and Medicine: Complementary Sciences From Recovery to Cause of Death Edited by: A. Schmitt, E. Cunha, and J. Pinheiro © Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ 85 86 Pinheiro should always be called whenever a body appears whose morphological char- acteristics do not permit any identification.
    [Show full text]
  • Decomposition Process and Post Mortem Changes: Review (Proses Pereputan Dan Perubahan Pasca Kematian: Ulasan)
    Sains Malaysiana 43(12)(2014): 1873–1882 Decomposition Process and Post Mortem Changes: Review (Proses Pereputan dan Perubahan Pasca Kematian: Ulasan) TEO CHEE HAU, NOOR HAZFALINDA HAMZAH, HING HIANG LIAN & SRI PAWITA ALBAKRI AMIR HAMZAH* ABSTRACT Decomposition is degradation process of a corpse into basic respective constituents macroscopically and microscopically by action of microorganisms, arthropods and scavengers. Post mortem changes could be separated into early post mortem changes (i.e. algor mortis, rigor mortis and livor mortis) and putrefaction stages of corpse. These changes function as suitable indicators for determination of post mortem interval (PMI). In this paper, different stages of post mortem changes, possible variations such as mummification and formation of adipocere and special circumstances such as burial condition is discussed. This article also refers to several arguments in the different texture of adipocere and the influence of different types of fabric in affecting the post mortem changes and formation of adipocere. This is largely due to the property of permeability and resistance of material against degradation process. Undeniably, decomposition process involves numerous potential variables including burial condition, presence of clothing, potential formation of adipocere and mummification. Hence, studies in forensic taphonomy combined with real case scenario are crucial in understanding the nature of decomposition and estimation of PMI with higher accuracy. Keywords: Adipocere; burial condition; decomposition; mummification; post mortem changes; putrefaction ABSTRAK Pereputan adalah proses penguraian mayat kepada bahan asas secara makroskopik dan mikroskopik melalui aktiviti mikroorganisma, atropod dan pembangkai. Perubahan pasca kematian dapat dibahagikan kepada perubahan pasca kematian awal (iaitu algor mortis, rigor mortis dan livor mortis) dan tahap pembusukan mayat.
    [Show full text]
  • Adipocere Withstands 1600 Years of Fluctuating Groundwater Levels in Soil
    Journal of Archaeological Science 36 (2009) 1328–1333 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Archaeological Science journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jas Adipocere withstands 1600 years of fluctuating groundwater levels in soil S. Fiedler a,*, F. Buegger b, B. Klaubert c, K. Zipp d, R. Dohrmann e, M. Witteyer d, M. Zarei a, M. Graw f a Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Strasse 27, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany b Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Institute of Soil Ecology, Ingolsta¨dter Landstrasse 1, 85758 Neuherberg, Germany c Bundeswehr Medical Office, Dachauerstrasse 128, 80637 Munich, Germany d Rhineland-Palatinate State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments, Department of Archaeology, Schillerstrasse 44, 55116 Mainz, Germany e Lower Saxony State Office for Soil Science, Stilleweg 2, 30655 Hanover, Germany f Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Munich, Nußbaumstrasse 26, 80336 Munich, Germany article info abstract Article history: An extraordinarily well-preserved skeleton of a child, interred in a stone sarcophagus in the Late-Roman Received 26 September 2008 era, was discovered in the city of Mainz (Germany) in 1998, covered with a puff pastry-like substance Received in revised form assumed to be adipocere. It is the first time that this substance, which is derived from fat under oxygen- 6 January 2009 deficient conditions and prevents corpses from decaying, has been discovered on corpses buried under Accepted 16 January 2009 conditions described in the present paper. The body was buried at groundwater level (2.9 m below surface) in a moist zone close to the Rhine that Keywords: was affected by seasonally fluctuating groundwater levels.
    [Show full text]
  • Waxing Grave About Adipocere: Soft Tissue Change in an Aquatic Contextã
    J Forensic Sci, March 2007, Vol. 52, No. 2 doi:10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00362.x Available online at: www.blackwell-synergy.com Tyler G. O’Brien,1 Ph.D. and Amy C. Kuehner,1 B.A. Waxing Grave About Adipocere: Soft Tissue Change in an Aquatic Contextà ABSTRACT: When postmortem environmental conditions are ‘‘just right,’’ according to the ‘‘Goldilocks Phenomenon,’’ soft tissues (and associated fatty acids) are converted into and preserved as adipocere. To better understand this conversion process and the development of adipocere three human cadavers were immersed in outside, water-filled pits for over 3 months to observe adipocere formation in an underwater context simulating actual field conditions. Recordings of environmental conditions showed that temperatures were between 211C and 451C, a range sufficient for the growth of Clostridium perfringens. Chemical analysis of liquid and tissue samples revealed an increase in palmitic acid and decrease in oleic acid. This study tracked the remarkable gross morphological changes that can occur in human bodies subjected to an aquatic postmortem environment. The results support the ‘‘Goldilocks Phenomenon’’ and substantiate previous findings that the presence of bacteria and water is crucial for adipocere to form. KEYWORDS: forensic science, forensic anthropology, adipocere, postmortem interval, saponification, inhumation in water, fatty acids Given proper conditions in the postmortem environment, a of human soft tissue into adipocere. The current literature contains body’s soft tissues may become preserved rather than decompose. a number of specific case studies (21,23,26–29), although no one The preserved tissue, adipocere, is produced through saponifica- offers results from a long-term study that visually tracks and ob- tion, a hydrolysis of the body’s fatty acids (1).
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of the Method of Burial on Adipocere Formation Shari L
    Forensic Science International 154 (2005) 44–52 www.elsevier.com/locate/forsciint The effect of the method of burial on adipocere formation Shari L. Forbesa,*, Barbara H. Stuartb, Boyd B. Dentc aCentre for Forensic Science, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Australia bDepartment of Chemistry, Materials and Forensic Science, University of Technology, P.O. Box 123, Broadway 2007, Sydney, Australia cDepartment of Environmental Sciences, University of Technology, P.O. Box 123, Broadway 2007, Sydney, Australia Received 19 April 2004; accepted 15 September 2004 Available online 6 November 2004 Abstract A controlled laboratory experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effect of the method of burial (i.e. the presence of coffin and clothing) on the formation of adipocere. This study follows previous studies by the authors who have investigated the effect of physical conditions on the formation of adipocere present in a controlled burial environment. The study utilises infrared spectroscopy to provide a preliminary lipid profile of the remains following a 12 month decomposition period. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was employed as a technique for determining the salts of fatty acids present in adipocere. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used as the confirmatory test for the identification and determination of the chemical composition of adipocere which formed in the controlled burial environments. The results suggest that coffins will retard the rate at which adipocere forms but that clothing enhances its formation. The results concur with previous observations on adipocere formation in burial environments. # 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Adipocere; Burial environment; Fatty acids; Coffin; Clothing; Plastic bag 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Adipocere: What Is Known After Over Two Centuries of Research
    Forensic Science International 208 (2011) 167–172 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Forensic Science International journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/forsciint Adipocere: What is known after over two centuries of research Douglas H. Ubelaker *, Kristina M. Zarenko Department of Anthropology, Smithsonian Institution, NMNH, MRC 112, Washington, DC 20560-0112, USA ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: This paper reviews over two centuries of research focusing on various issues relating to adipocere. Received 15 September 2010 Adipocere is a crumbly, soap-like postmortem product that forms from soft tissue in a variety of Accepted 25 November 2010 environments. The timing of the formation and degradation of adipocere depends largely on the Available online 23 December 2010 environmental circumstances. Once formed, adipocere can persist for hundreds of years, acting as a preservative. In this way, some define it as a process of mummification. This type of persistence can be Keywords: useful in a forensic context as it can preserve evidence. Sustained interest in adipocere prompted many Adipocere investigations into the composition and conditions of formation. More recent investigations, aided by Taphonomy technological advances, build upon the knowledge gained from prior studies as well as delve into the Formation Chemical composition chemical composition of adipocere. This in turn provides new information on detection and Mummification documentation of constituent substances. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. 1. Introduction refer to it as the ‘‘fatty wax type of mummification’’ [2, p. 268]. For Yan et al. [11] adipocere represents a waxy or greasy decomposi- Adipocere represents a form of arrested decay of postmortem tion product. Vass [12] presents it as saponification or the soft tissue.
    [Show full text]