Elemental Analysis of Variably Contaminated Cremains Using X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Journal of Forensic Sciences
Megan Gilpin, Angi M Christensen

Abstract

Analyzing and identifying skeletal remains becomes increasingly difficult when remains have been cremated, especially in cases where the cremated material may have been intentionally contaminated with nonskeletal material. This study examined the potential of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) to detect the presence of nonskeletal contaminants in samples of cremains. Eleven samples of cremains were variably combined with concrete mix and analyzed using XRF. Photon counts of elements in each sample were analyzed, and the coefficient of determination (R(2)) using unweighted linear regression as a function of percent cremains was calculated. Results showed that with changes in the proportion of skeletal material and contaminant, there were significant (R(2) > 0.90) changes in detected levels of phosphorus, potassium, zinc, aluminum, and sulfur. The use of XRF is concluded to be a valid approach in the identification of the presence of nonskeletal material in potentially contaminated cremains.

References

Feb 20, 2002·Forensic Science International : Synergy·M W WarrenW R Maples
Oct 5, 2006·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Timothy R BrooksStephanie A Smullen
Feb 20, 2007·Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz·Anderson Nonato do Rosario MarinhoSheila Maria Ferraz Mendonça de Souza
Nov 18, 2008·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Douglas H Ubelaker
Nov 2, 2011·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Angi M ChristensenRichard M Thomas

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Citations

Sep 17, 2015·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Aaron R KuzelSusan M Marvin
Jul 13, 2016·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Lyniece Lewis, Angi M Christensen
Apr 20, 2016·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Jennifer F Byrnes, Peter J Bush

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