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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
07:56

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Fragment analysis in forensic anthropology.

Douglas H Ubelaker1, Yaohan Wu1

  • 1National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA.

Forensic Sciences Research
|January 18, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Fragmentary anthropological evidence can be analyzed using diverse methods. Techniques like microscopy, protein, DNA, histology, and radiocarbon analysis reveal species, thermal changes, and postmortem intervals for identification.

Keywords:
Forensic sciencesforensic anthropologyfragmentsradiocarbon

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Bioarchaeology
  • Paleopathology

Background:

  • Fragmentary anthropological evidence presents analytical challenges.
  • Diverse scientific methods are crucial for extracting substantial information from limited remains.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline key analytical methods for fragmentary anthropological evidence.
  • To highlight the capabilities of various techniques in species identification, thermal change assessment, and postmortem interval determination.

Main Methods:

  • Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) for tissue identification.
  • Protein radioimmunoassay and DNA analysis for species determination and individual identification.
  • Histological analysis for species identification and thermal alteration assessment.
  • Radiocarbon analysis (with bomb-curve calibration) for postmortem interval estimation.

Main Results:

  • SEM/EDS confirms the presence of bone and/or tooth tissue.
  • Protein and DNA analyses accurately establish the species.
  • Histology aids in species identification and reveals thermal history.
  • Radiocarbon dating provides postmortem interval data.
  • DNA analysis can determine sex and age at death.

Conclusions:

  • A multi-technique approach maximizes information retrieval from fragmentary anthropological remains.
  • These methods are vital for species identification, understanding taphonomic processes, and establishing individual characteristics.
  • Advanced analyses, particularly DNA, offer robust identification and demographic insights.