Analysis of suspected trace human remains from an indoor concrete surface

Journal of Forensic Sciences
Carolyn M ZimmermannGlen P Jackson

Abstract

This paper describes the sequence of analyses used to determine the nature of a stain located on the floor of room in the former Athens Mental Health and Retardation Hospital in Athens, OH. The location of the stain was reported to be the position in which a decomposing body was discovered on January 11, 1979. The current stain is found to contain strong evidence for both natural decomposition products and deliberate adulteration. Microscopic analyses, solubility tests, FTIR, ICP-OES, pyrolysis-MS, and derivatization GC-MS were consistent in determining the removable parts of the stain to be composed mostly of calcium and sodium salts of free fatty acids, such as palmitic acid, consistent with previous descriptions of adipocere. The free fatty acids could have been formed via known bacterial degradation pathways or via saponification through the basic environment caused through contact with the concrete. To our knowledge, adipocere formation on an exposed indoor environment has not been described before. The stain and concrete also show signs of being chemically modified with an acidic reagent, such as Blu-Lite--a phosphoric acid-based cleaner that was a commonly used cleaner in the building from the time of discovery to the pr...Continue Reading

References

Nov 1, 1979·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition·M G KokatnurJ P Strong
Jan 1, 1977·Medicine, Science, and the Law·J Simonsen
Aug 15, 2002·Forensic Science International : Synergy·S L ForbesB B Dent
Jun 3, 2004·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Shari L ForbesBoyd B Dent
Sep 27, 2005·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Shari L ForbesBoyd B Dent
Sep 27, 2005·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Shari L ForbesBarbara H Stuart
Sep 27, 2005·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Shari L ForbesBoyd B Dent
Jan 4, 2007·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Marlo ArredondoMarianne Stam
Feb 24, 2007·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Tyler G O'Brien, Amy C Kuehner

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 24, 2015·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·Charles E Turick, Christopher J Berry

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Forensic Science International : Synergy
Shari L ForbesBoyd B Dent
Forensic Science International : Synergy
Shari L ForbesBoyd B Dent
Journal of Forensic Sciences
Shari L ForbesSarah Fenwick-Mulcahy
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved