Skip to content
2000
Volume 1, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 2666-4844
  • E-ISSN: 2666-4852

Abstract

Background

Forensic pathologists, archeologists, and forensic anthropologists are often required to interpret burnt bones. One of the key factors for an accurate interpretation of the remains and the events leading to incineration is the estimation of the maximum exposure temperature of the human remains. Several types of research focus on temperature estimation, using color assessment, histology observations, and mechanical changes, which can help in the most accurate interpretation. The color of burnt bone is inevitably related to the time and temperature(s) to which it was exposed, the size and condition of the bone, and the environment. Nevertheless, it can be possible to estimate exposure temperature based on visual observation and analysis.

Objective

Development of a colorimetric scale for photographic documentation and the color calibration of burnt bone.

Methods

This paper proposes a patented prototype scale with calibrated colors of burnt bone colors at different temperatures, based on the existing RGB color published data as a visual aid in the interpretation and estimation of the maximum temperature exposure of burnt bone.

Results and Discussion

Authors are aware that the estimation of the maximum temperature of burnt bone cannot be determined solely by colors. Visual color recognition is prone to errors.

Conclusion

The proposed device should be considered a tool during photography of burnt bone and aid in interpreting temperature estimates.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/cfs/10.2174/2666484401666221228150116
2023-01-01
2024-11-22
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. EllinghamS.T.D. ThompsonT.J.U. IslamM. TaylorG. Estimating temperature exposure of burnt bone-A methodological review.Sci. Justice201555318118810.1016/j.scijus.2014.12.00225934370
    [Google Scholar]
  2. UbelakerD.H. The forensic evaluation of burned skeletal remains: A synthesis.Forensic Sci. Int.20091831-31510.1016/j.forsciint.2008.09.01919010619
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Mayne CorreiaP.M. Fire modification of bone: A review of the literature. HaglundW.D. SorgM.H. Forensic Taphonomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains.Boca RatonCRC Press1997
    [Google Scholar]
  4. GreinerM. Rodríguez-NavarroA. HeinigM.F. Bone incineration: An experimental study on mineral structure, colour and crystalline state.J. Archaeol. Sci. Rep.20192550751810.1016/j.jasrep.2019.05.009
    [Google Scholar]
  5. DevlinJ.B. HerrmannN.P. Bone colour: The analysis of burned human remains.New YorkAcademic Press201511913810.1016/B978‑0‑12‑800451‑7.00006‑1
    [Google Scholar]
  6. ImaizumiK. Forensic investigation of burnt human remains. Res/Rep Forensic.Med. Sci.20155677410.2147/RRFMS.S75141
    [Google Scholar]
  7. ShipmanP. FosterG. SchoeningerM. Burnt bones and teeth: An experimental study of color, morphology, crystal structure and shrinkage.J. Archaeol. Sci.198411430732510.1016/0305‑4403(84)90013‑X
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Di VellaG. NuzzoleseE. NeriM. Universita Degli Studi, assignee. Colometric scale. United States Patent application US13/225,8442013
  9. WalkerP.L. Kevin MillerK.W.P. RichmanR. Time, temperature, and oxygen availability: an experimental study of the effects of environmental conditions on the color and organic content of cremated bone. In:The Analysis of Burned Human Remains.New YorkAcademic Press2008129xi10.1016/B978‑012372510‑3.50009‑5
    [Google Scholar]
  10. KrapT. van de GootF.R.W. OostraR.J. DuijstW. Waters-RistA.L. Temperature estimations of heated bone: A questionnaire-based study of accuracy and precision of interpretation of bone colour by forensic and physical anthropologists.Leg. Med. (Tokyo)201729222810.1016/j.legalmed.2017.08.00128964985
    [Google Scholar]
  11. RubioL. Díaz-VicoR. Smith-FernándezI. Spectrophotometric color measurement to assess temperature of exposure in cortical and medullar heated human bones: A preliminary study.Diagnostics (Basel)2020101197910.3390/diagnostics1011097933233746
    [Google Scholar]
  12. KrapT. RuijterJ.M. NotaK. Colourimetric analysis of thermally altered human bone samples.Sci. Rep.201991892310.1038/s41598‑019‑45420‑831222026
    [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/cfs/10.2174/2666484401666221228150116
Loading
/content/journals/cfs/10.2174/2666484401666221228150116
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test