Technical note: early post-mortem changes of human bone in taphonomy with μCT

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Biomaterials Science
• Radiology

Background:

• Accurate post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation is vital in forensic investigations.
• Bone diagenesis, the post-mortem alteration of bone, can impact PMI assessments.
• Understanding trabecular bone changes is key to refining forensic techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the microstructural evolution of human cranial vault bone over a 4-week conservation period.
• To analyze changes in bone volume, surface, and trabecular parameters using micro-tomography (μCT).
• To explore the potential influence of diagenesis on cranial bone microarchitecture.

Main Methods:

• Human cranial bone samples were conserved in a controlled environment (20°C, 60% humidity).
• Micro-tomography (μCT) scans at 10-μm resolution were performed weekly for four weeks.
• Quantitative analysis included total volume, bone volume, bone surface, trabecular number, thickness, and separation.

Main Results:

• Over 4 weeks, mean bone volume decreased by 1.9%, bone surface by 5.1%, and trabecular number by 12.35%.
• Mean trabecular separation increased by 5.55%, and trabecular thickness increased by 12.7%.
• Significant variations in bone microarchitecture were observed, potentially linked to diagenesis.

Conclusions:

• Post-mortem conservation leads to measurable changes in cranial bone microarchitecture.
• Observed alterations in trabecular bone structure are likely influenced by diagenesis.
• Further statistical studies are required to validate these findings and elucidate the mechanisms of bone alteration.