The Technique of Preparing Bird Skeletons for Study by Maceration

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Technique of Preparing Bird Skeletons for Study by Maceration The Technique of PreparingBird Skeletons for Study by Maceration * J. Hill Hamon, Indiana State College, Terre Haute, Indiana The preparation of bird skeletons by allowing the flesh to rot or be picked off is described in this article. The author is Associate Professor of Zoology at Indiana State College. Bird skeletons are very expensive. The cost picked nearly clean by these small sapropha- of an articulated skeleton of a common chicken geous insects. Skeletons prepared by this can run as high as $55.00 if purchased at method, however, are greasy, and some ob- Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/26/6/428/20549/4440716.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 a biological supply house. Some articulated jectionable connective tissues remain on the skeletons of pigeons cost as much as $40.00, bones. while disarticulated skeletons, with loose bones Avian skeletons can also be prepared for contained in a small box, generally run over study by macerating techniques. Maceration $13.00. If you "do it yourself," however, is the process of rotting away tissues from good skeletal preparations can be made at skeletons placed in water, by bacterial action. little or no expense. This technique has been used for centuries in There are several methods of preparing the the recovery of skeletons for use in osteolog- skeletons of birds for study. The carcasses ical studies. Eustachia, a professor at the can be buried in soil, and their skeletons later Papal School of Medicine in Rome during the reclaimed after all the soft body parts have sixteenth century, was well known for his decayed. This technique is risky because of use of maceration in the preparation of hu- the possibility of losing some of the smaller man skeletons for study. bones. Another commonly used method in- There are several advantages of the use of volves boiling the bird in water until all the maceration over other techniques in the re- flesh can be pulled off so that the skeleton can covery of bird skeletons. When the macerating be recovered. This is a rather poor method because boiling softens the bones and causes severe damage to them. Other workers prefer to "bug" birds in order to acquire their skele- tons. The birds are skinned, eviscerated, dried thoroughly, and then placed in a special col- ony of dermestid beetles. The bones are .. .'.^. S7...'. :' _ ;.".'. '>''v Fig."'2v Th bir is' com leel sknnd Fig. 1. Care should be taken not to pull off the pygostyle when pulling out the tail feathers. 428 THETECHNIQUE OF PREPARINGBIRD SKELETONS 429 the skeleton are removed. Special care should be exercised not to cut into any bone. The animal is then eviscerated and sexed. If the specimen is to be used for research purposes, the sclerotic bones surrounding the eye should be saved, as well as the trachea and hyoid apparatus. These are usually dried separately and not macerated. The bird is then placed in a large clean bottle and covered completely with ordinary tap water. A tight-fitting lid is then fitted on the bottle. A label can be tucked under Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/26/6/428/20549/4440716.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 the edge of the lid upon which all pertinent data on the species, locality of collection, collector, date, and sex, is recorded with water proof ink or indelible pencil. "Pouring-off" is a very important part of the skeletonizing process. The water covering the specimen should be poured off daily. This water will usually be discolored, and will have an unpleasant odor because it contains many small fragments of the decaying soft parts. "Pouring-off" should be done with care so that small bones are not dumped down the Fig. 3. The "roughing-out" should be done with care so drain. The specimen is then flushed with sev- that bones are not broken. Most of the muscles are cut away. eral changes of fresh water and inundated again for another day. The preparation should not be allowed to stand for long periods be- process has been completed, the bones are tween "pouring-off" times. Usually, if this completely clean. There is no trace of resid- ual fat, and there is no disagreeable odor. No connective tissues remain on the bones to obscure osteological characters as they do in most of the other methods of preparation. There are disadvantages for some in macer- ating. The skeletons, when recovered, are usually completely disarticulated. If an artic- ulated skeleton is required, this method is not usually desirable. It also generally takes longer to prepare a bird skeleton for study by maceration than with some other recovery methods. The odors associated with the decay of the soft parts during the early stages of maceration are often offensive. It is easy to prepare a bird for skeletoniza- tion by maceration. First, the bird is skinned. It is recommended that the wing and tail feathers be plucked out individually so that the bones will not be broken. Care should be taken not to pull off the pygostyle, a bone formed by the fusion of several caudal verte- brae, when removing the tail feathers. Next, the carcass is "roughed out." All muscles and Fig. 4. The carcass is dropped into a bottle of ordinary connective tissues that can be cut away from tap water. 430 THEAMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER happens, molds form on top of the water, and should they come in contact with the bones, the bones are often discolored and actually destroyed. If the lid of the bottle is replaced tightly between times for "pouring-off" there will be very little odor detectable near the macerating specimen. The time required for a skeleton to be com- pletely cleaned by bacterial action in water varies considerably with temperature, the con- dition of the bird carcass before maceration, the type of water used to cover the animal, Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/26/6/428/20549/4440716.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 and probably many other factors yet unrecog- nized. I have seen skeletons cleaned com- pletely in less than a week in Florida in summer, yet I have macerated some birds for almost two months in summer in Indiana before they were skeletonized. The decay bacteria appear to be more active at higher -~~~~~ temperatures. Birds that have been frozen before skeletonizing appear to decay more slowly than do freshly killed specimens. It is difficult to macerate birds in water with high sulfur content, even in areas of higher tem- Fig. 6. The "pouring-off" should be done in running water. peratures. Ordinary city tap water seems to Do this slowly because small bones can be easily lost work as well as distilled water for macerating down the drain. purposes. After maceration is completed, the cleaned boxes are usually used to contain skeletons of bird skeleton must be stored properly. Small birds that are prepared for osteological re- search or for teaching collections. A reference number should be inscribed on each individual bone in water-proof ink and a catalog of ref- erence numbers should be maintained. This numbering protects against inadvertent mixing of bones of different skeletons that might be in use at the same time. A bird skeleton can be articulated so that it may be used for display purposes. It is a fairly difficult task to successfully articulate a bird skeleton at the first attempt. Articulating can be done well, however, if quick setting contact epoxy cement is used to weld the bones together. Thin wire is also useful in strengthening the wings and for holding the preparation in the desired position. A pre- pared articulated skeleton of a bird is useful for reference when you first perform an artic- ulation. Good articulations, however, can be accomplished by using a good drawing or photograph of such a prepared specimen as a reference. Drawings may be obtained from biological supply houses, while pictures of articulated skeletons of birds can be found in Fig. 5. Pertinent data can be written an a label with an indelible pencil, and inserted under the bottle lid. most zoology texts. THE TECHNIQUEOF PREPARINGBIRD SKELETONS 431 eontologists for comparative purposes in the identification of fossil bird bones. The maceration of vertebrates other than birds for skeletons perhaps offers some work- ers more disadvantages than advantages. Mammal bones have epiphyses that are usually loosened and lost from the ends of long bones. It is also difficult to macerate mammal skulls without having all the teeth fall out. These teeth must be cemented in place early in the ........'';... ''.''.'' macerating process. With amphibians, fishes, 0";;''.'"''''"2''' '"'V' Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/26/6/428/20549/4440716.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 ....~.........;Xt: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~T and reptiles, the resulting disarticulation can ..~~~~~~~~..fi...t ....,;t ~ ~ ,,0i A ; ; t - l , ," become a serious problem if articulated skele- Fig. 7. Finished skeletons can be storedin~~~~~~~~~~~~~......... efficiently small~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~dboes tons are required. For birds however, macer- ation, for most purposes, is the best all around process for the preparation of skeletons for study. : What birds are best to macerate for a ....... :...: : tS l; t : S :t::tiE 0 t0 t ............s teaching collection or for articulation? Birds that are not protected under state or federal laws must be used. Examples of these are : : :fi i : :0*s* ;4!0X: SaiEAi;;;;;.f;iSC00009;;;00:f000ft00td;ff:fFi.............-.a.::: .. ... .. .0; crows, pigeons, and chickens. The bones of ; : W0 0 000 0 000 ; ; ; t ;ta.....;-t00:t:;:00:-.;0.00-000tl0............stAitidEX0.a.
Recommended publications
  • AVMA Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals: 2019 Edition
    AVMA Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals: 2019 Edition Members of the Panel on Animal Depopulation Steven Leary, DVM, DACLAM (Chair); Fidelis Pharmaceuticals, High Ridge, Missouri Raymond Anthony, PhD (Ethicist); University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, DVM, PhD, DABVT, DABT (Lead, Companion Animals Working Group); Veterinary Information Network, Mahomet, Illinois Samuel Cartner, DVM, PhD, DACLAM (Lead, Laboratory Animals Working Group); University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama Renee Dewell, DVM, MS (Lead, Bovine Working Group); Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa Patrick Webb, DVM (Lead, Swine Working Group); National Pork Board, Des Moines, Iowa Paul J. Plummer, DVM, DACVIM-LA (Lead, Small Ruminant Working Group); Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa Donald E. Hoenig, VMD (Lead, Poultry Working Group); American Humane Association, Belfast, Maine William Moyer, DVM, DACVSMR (Lead, Equine Working Group); Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, Billings, Montana Stephen A. Smith, DVM, PhD (Lead, Aquatics Working Group); Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia Andrea Goodnight, DVM (Lead, Zoo and Wildlife Working Group); The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert, California P. Gary Egrie, VMD (nonvoting observing member); USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, Riverdale, Maryland Axel Wolff, DVM, MS (nonvoting observing member); Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), Bethesda, Maryland AVMA Staff Consultants Cia L. Johnson, DVM, MS, MSc; Director, Animal Welfare Division Emily Patterson-Kane, PhD; Animal Welfare Scientist, Animal Welfare Division The following individuals contributed substantively through their participation in the Panel’s Working Groups, and their assistance is sincerely appreciated. Companion Animals—Yvonne Bellay, DVM, MS; Allan Drusys, DVM, MVPHMgt; William Folger, DVM, MS, DABVP; Stephanie Janeczko, DVM, MS, DABVP, CAWA; Ellie Karlsson, DVM, DACLAM; Michael R.
    [Show full text]
  • Stillbirth and Intrauterine Fetal Death: Factors Affecting Determination of Cause Of
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by UCL Discovery Stillbirth and intrauterine fetal death: factors affecting determination of cause of death at autopsy J. Man*†, J. C. Hutchinson*†, A.E.P. Heazell‡, M. Ashworth*, S. Levine § and N. J. Sebire*† *Department of Histopathology, Camelia Botnar Laboratories, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK; †University College London, Institute of Child Health, London, UK; ‡Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Manchester University, Manchester, UK; §Department of Histopathology, St George’s Hospital, London, UK Correspondence to: Prof. N. J. Sebire, Department of Histopathology, Level 3 Camelia Botnar, Laboratories, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK (e-mail: [email protected]) Short title: Cause of stillbirth and IUFD KEYWORDS: ethnicity; maternal age; miscarriage; obesity; stillbirth 1 +A: Abstract Objectives There have been many attempts to classify cause of death in stillbirth, all such systems being subjective, allowing for significant observer bias, making accurate comparisons between systems challenging. The aim of this study was to examine factors relating to determination of cause of death by using a large dataset from two specialist centres, in which observer bias has been reduced by objectively classifying findings and assigning causes of death based on predetermined criteria. Methods Detailed autopsy reports from intrauterine fetal deaths (IUFD) during 2005- 2013 in the second and third trimesters were reviewed and findings entered into a specially designed database, in which cause of death (CoD) was assigned using predefined objective criteria. Data regarding CoD categories and factors affecting determination of CoD were analysed through queries and statistical tests run using Microsoft Access, Excel, Graph Pad Prism and StatsDirect, with Mann–Whitney U-test and comparison of proportions testing as appropriate.
    [Show full text]
  • The 9Th SIDS International Conference Program and Abstracts
    Program and Abstracts The 9th SIDS The9th International Conference SIDS International June 1-4 2006 in YOKOHAMA Conference June 1-4 2006 in YOKOHAMA www.sids.gr.jp Co-sponsored by The Japan SIDS Research Society and SIDS Family Association Japan Meeting with the International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA) and the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Deaths (ISPID) Program and Abstracts Secretariat PROTECTING LITTLE LIVES, PROVIDING A GUIDING LIGHT FOR FAMILIES General lnquiry : SIDS Family Association Japan 6-20-209 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan Phone/Fax : +81-3-5456-1661 Email : [email protected] Registration Secretariat : c/o Congress Corporation Kosai-kaikan Bldg., 5-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8481, Japan Phone : +81-3-5216-5551 Fax : +81-3-5216-5552 Email : [email protected] Federation of Pharmaceutical WAM Manufacturers' Associations of JAPAN The 9th SIDS International Conference Program and Abstracts Table of Contents Welcome .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Greeting from Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado ................................ 2 Thanks to our Sponsors!.............................................................................................................. 3 Access Map ............................................................................................................................................ 5 Floor Plan ...............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Human Remains and Identification
    Human remains and identification HUMAN REMAINS AND VIOLENCE Human remains and identification Human remains Human remains and identification presents a pioneering investigation into the practices and methodologies used in the search for and and identification exhumation of dead bodies resulting from mass violence. Previously absent from forensic debate, social scientists and historians here Mass violence, genocide, confront historical and contemporary exhumations with the application of social context to create an innovative and interdisciplinary dialogue. and the ‘forensic turn’ Never before has a single volume examined the context of motivations and interests behind these pursuits, each chapter enlightening the Edited by ÉLISABETH ANSTETT political, social, and legal aspects of mass crime and its aftermaths. and JEAN-MARC DREYFUS The book argues that the emergence of new technologies to facilitate the identification of dead bodies has led to a ‘forensic turn’, normalizing exhumations as a method of dealing with human remains en masse. However, are these exhumations always made for legitimate reasons? And what can we learn about societies from the way in which they deal with this consequence of mass violence? Multidisciplinary in scope, this book presents a ground-breaking selection of international case studies, including the identification of corpses by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the resurfacing ANSTETTand of human remains from the Gulag and the sites of Jewish massacres from the Holocaust. Human remains
    [Show full text]
  • Report of Fetal Death Worksheet
    Report of Fetal Death Worksheet We are truly sorry about the loss you have experienced. We understand that this is a difficult time for you and your loved ones. We need to ask you a few questions to assist in the completion of the official report of fetal death. State laws provide protection against the unauthorized release of identifying information from the report of fetal death to ensure confidentiality of the parents. This information may also help researchers understand some of the factors that are related to miscarriage and stillbirth. Your assistance in providing complete and accurate information is very important. We appreciate your help, especially during this very difficult time. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY Please note: If delivery occurred in a hospital, nursing care institution, or hospice inpatient facility, the Human Remains Release Form (HRRF) must be completed (reference A.R.S. §36-326 and A.A.C. R9-19-301.) Funeral Home/County Information Available for Disposition: Yes No Fetus Information Name of Fetus-- This is optional. Fetus Not Named 1A. FETUS FIRST NAME 1B. MIDDLE NAME 1C. LAST NAME 1D. SUFFIX (Jr, II, etc) 2. DATE OF DELIVERY (mm/dd/yyyy) 3. TIME OF DELIVERY 4. FETUS SEX 5. HRRF (Human Remains Release Form) AM PM Military Male Female Yes No _____________ ( mm/dd/yyyy) Unknown Unknown Mother’s Information 6A. MOTHER’S CURRENT LEGAL NAME – FIRST NAME 6B. MIDDLE NAME 6C. LAST NAME 6D. SUFFIX (Jr, II, etc) 7A. MOTHER’S NAME PRIOR TO FIRST MARRIAGE – FIRST NAME 7B. MIDDLE NAME 7C. LAST NAME 7D. SUFFIX (Jr, II, etc) 8A.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of Common Imaging and Maceration Techniques on DNA Recovery from Skeletal Remains
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 12-2012 The Effect of Common Imaging and Maceration Techniques on DNA Recovery from Skeletal Remains Emilie Margaret Frank [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Recommended Citation Frank, Emilie Margaret, "The Effect of Common Imaging and Maceration Techniques on DNA Recovery from Skeletal Remains. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2012. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/1376 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Emilie Margaret Frank entitled "The Effect of Common Imaging and Maceration Techniques on DNA Recovery from Skeletal Remains." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in Anthropology. Amy Z. Mundorff, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Graciela S. Cabana, Dawnie Wolfe Steadman Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) The Effect of Common Imaging and Maceration Techniques on DNA Recovery from Skeletal Remains A Thesis Presented for the Master of Arts Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Emilie Margaret Frank December 2012 DEDICATION To Drs.
    [Show full text]
  • Poultry Industry Manual
    POULTRY INDUSTRY MANUAL FAD PReP Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness & Response Plan National Animal Health Emergency Management System United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Veterinary Services MARCH 2013 Poultry Industry Manual The Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (FAD PReP)/National Animal Health Emergency Management System (NAHEMS) Guidelines provide a framework for use in dealing with an animal health emergency in the United States. This FAD PReP Industry Manual was produced by the Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service through a cooperative agreement. The FAD PReP Poultry Industry Manual was last updated in March 2013. Please send questions or comments to: Center for Food Security and Public Health National Center for Animal Health 2160 Veterinary Medicine Emergency Management Iowa State University of Science and Technology US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ames, IA 50011 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Telephone: 515-294-1492 U.S. Department of Agriculture Fax: 515-294-8259 4700 River Road, Unit 41 Email: [email protected] Riverdale, Maryland 20737-1231 subject line FAD PReP Poultry Industry Manual Telephone: (301) 851-3595 Fax: (301) 734-7817 E-mail: [email protected] While best efforts have been used in developing and preparing the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines, the US Government, US Department of Agriculture and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and other parties, such as employees and contractors contributing to this document, neither warrant nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or procedure disclosed.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of the Effectiveness of a Common Household Chemical For
    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Master's Theses Graduate School 2015 A Study of the Effectiveness of a Common Household Chemical for Maceration Sara O'Neil Wyatt Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Wyatt, Sara O'Neil, "A Study of the Effectiveness of a Common Household Chemical for Maceration" (2015). LSU Master's Theses. 3571. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/3571 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Master's Theses by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A COMMON HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL FOR MACERATION A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in The Department of Geography and Anthropology by Sara O’Neil Wyatt B.S., Western Carolina University, 2012 May 2015 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first like to thank my thesis committee members, Dr. Ginesse Listi, Dr. Rebecca Saunders and Dr. Robert Tague for their unending support, guidance and advice. With their support I was able to make my thesis the best it possibly could be. I would also like to thank Ms. Mary Manhein of the FACES Laboratory for allowing me access to the lab and equipment for conducting my experiments.
    [Show full text]
  • Parameters for Estimating the Time of Death at Perinatal Autopsy of Stillborn Fetuses: a Systematic Review
    International Journal of Legal Medicine https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-019-01999-1 REVIEW Parameters for estimating the time of death at perinatal autopsy of stillborn fetuses: a systematic review Mariano Paternoster1 & Mauro Perrino1 & Antonio Travaglino2 & Antonio Raffone3 & Gabriele Saccone3 & Fulvio Zullo3 & Francesco Paolo D’Armiento2 & Claudio Buccelli1 & Massimo Niola1 & Maria D’Armiento4 Received: 22 October 2018 /Accepted: 2 January 2019 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2019 Abstract Background Stillbirth is defined by the WHO as birth of a fetus with no vital signs, at or over 28 weeks of pregnancy age. The estimation of time of death in stillbirth appears crucial in forensic pathology. However, there are no validated methods for this purpose. Objective To perform a systematic review of the available literature regarding the estimation of the time of death in stillborn fetuses, in terms of hours or days. Methods Electronic databases were searched from their inception to August 2018 for relevant articles. Macroscopic, histologic, and radiologic parameters were evaluated. Results Nine studies with 664 stillborns were included. The evaluation of extent and location of fetal maceration signs showed good accuracy in estimating the time of death; by contrast, a dichotomous assessment of maceration (present vs absent) was found to be unreliable in a subsequent study. Histologic assessment of the loss of nuclear basophilia in fetal and placental tissues showed excellent accuracy; an Bautolysis equation^ was proposed to achieve an even higher accuracy in fetuses who had been dead for < 24 h. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lung parenchyma, pleural fluids, and brain parenchyma could estimate the death-to-autopsy time, but the results appeared weak and conflicting.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effects of Soft Tissue Removal Methods on Porcine Skeletal Remains: a Comparative Analysis
    February 2021 New Florida Journal of Anthropology Tarbet Hust, E.S. and Snow, M.H. The Effects of Soft Tissue Removal Methods on Porcine Skeletal Remains: A Comparative Analysis Emily S. Tarbet Hust1, Meradeth H Snow2 1SNA International, 2University of Montana Abstract Sus scrofa domesticus limbs were obtained as a human proxy to study the effects of five distinct materials used in published methods of flesh removal: Dermestes lardarius beetles (also referred to as dermestids), distilled-water boil, bleach boil, enzyme-based detergent simmer, and ammonia simmer. Each method was evaluated based on a set of specific criteria, focusing on time efficiency, macroscopic damage, and the effects on DNA preservation and potential for future analysis. While the dermestid beetles had the longest time-expectancy and were the most labor-intensive method, they caused minimal damage to the bone surface and did not appear to affect the DNA preservation. Heated maceration methods sped up the process considerably, but that often led to decreased DNA quantity and minimal to severe amounts of macroscopic damage. The ammonia simmer method was the only method tested that was found in zoological literature but did not appear to have any published use within the forensic field, operating occasionally instead as a degreasing agent. While the ammonia method required the most safety precautions, the method was efficient both in time and tissue removal, and left amplifiable DNA, perhaps indicating a potential future in more forensic contexts. In contrast, the enzyme-based detergent method, often praised in published literature, performed poorly in multiple categories of evaluation. Each method proved to have different advantages and disadvantages, with no method performing the best or worst in every evaluated criterion.
    [Show full text]
  • Establishing the Cause and Manner of Death for Bodies Found in Water 186
    Establishing the Cause and Manner of Death for Bodies Found in Water 186 Philippe Lunetta , Andrea Zaferes , and Jerome Modell Establishing the cause of death in bodies found in water is one of the most challenging tasks in forensic medicine. Even if the cause of death is ascertained as drowning, a defi nite verdict concerning the manner of death, for example, by accident, suicide, or homicide, is not always achieved. Consistent conclusions on cause and manner of death rely upon integrated assessment of autopsy fi ndings, the individual characteristics of the victim, and circumstances surrounding death. Victim identifi cation, evaluation of post-mortem submersion time, and localization of the site of death are essential steps of this assessment process. In many countries, however, the responsibility for establishing the etiology of death of a body found in water rests with a medical doctor, a coroner, or another authority who lacks any forensic or medicolegal training. The cause of death as drowning is, often, established solely on the fact that the body was found in the water. P. Lunetta (*) Department of Forensic Medicine , University of Helsinki , PO Box 40 , Kytösuontie 11 , 00300 Helsinki , Finland e-mail: philippe.lunetta@helsinki.fi A. Zaferes Lifeguard Systems , PO Box 548 , Hurley , NY 12443 , USA e-mail: [email protected] J. Modell Department of Anesthesiology , College of Medicine, University of Florida , PO Box 100254 , Gainesville , FL 32610 , USA e-mail: [email protected]fl .edu J. Bierens (ed.), Drowning, 1179 DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-04253-9_186, © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014 1180 P. Lunetta et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Paleobiology of the Early Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in Hebei Province of South China
    Paleobiology of the Early Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in Hebei Province of South China Jesse Broce Thesis submitted to the faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science In Geosciences Shuhai Xiao Benjamin C. Gill James D. Schiffbauer April 30, 2013 Blacksburg, VA Keywords: Acetic, Acid, Annulations, Brachiopod, Calcite, Cambrian, Cycloneuralia, Chancelloria, China, Diagenesis, Ecdysozoan, EDS, Embryo, Fossil, Grooves, Hyolith, Introverta, Limestone, Maceration, Markuelia, Micro-CT, Microfossil, Panarthropoda, Phosphatization, Priapulid, Pseudooides, Pyrite, Scalidophoran, SEM, Sponge, Taphonomy, Worm, Yanjiahe Paleobiology of the Early Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in Hebei Province of South China Jesse Broce ABSTRACT Fossils recovered from limestones of the lower Cambrian (Stage 2-3) Yanjiahe Formation in Hubei Province, South China, recovered using acetic acid maceration, fracturing, and thin sectioning techniques were examined using a combination of analytical techniques, including energy dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) elemental mapping and micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT). One important fossil recovered and analyzed with these techniques is a fossilized embryo. Fossilized animal embryos from lower Cambrian rocks provide a rare opportunity to study the ontogeny and developmental biology of early animals during the Cambrian explosion. The fossil embryos in this study exhibit a phosphatized outer envelope (interpreted as the chorion) that encloses a multicelled blastula-like embryo or a calcitized embryo marked by sets of grooves on its surface. The arrangement of these grooves resembles annulations found on the surface of the Cambrian-Ordovician fossil embryo Markuelia. Previously described late-stage Markuelia embryos exhibit annulations and an introvert ornamented by scalids, suggesting a scalidophoran affinity.
    [Show full text]