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Related Concept Videos

X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples01:10

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X-ray diffraction or XRD is an analytical tool that utilizes X-rays to study ordered structures such as crystalline organic and inorganic samples, polycrystalline materials, proteins, carbohydrates, and drugs.
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The size of the unit cell and the arrangement of atoms in a crystal may be determined from measurements of the diffraction of X-rays by the crystal, termed X-ray crystallography.
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Partners in Postmortem Interval Estimation: X-ray Diffraction and Fourier Transform Spectroscopy.

Leticia Rubio1,2,3, Juan Suárez1,2,3, Stella Martin-de-Las-Heras1,3

  • 1Departamento de Anatomía Humana, Medicina Legal e Historia de la Ciencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain.

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|April 13, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) in later decomposition stages is challenging. This study found that changes in tooth mineral composition, specifically crystallinity, accurately estimate PMI up to 50 years using XRD and ATR-FTIR.

Keywords:
X-ray diffraction (XRD)attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopyforensic odontologypostmortem intervalteeth compositionteeth structure

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Materials Science
  • Biomineralization

Background:

  • Accurate postmortem interval (PMI) estimation is crucial in forensic investigations.
  • Estimating PMI becomes challenging in later decomposition stages.
  • Dental tissues offer a stable matrix for postmortem changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between human tooth mineral composition and PMI.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy for late PMI estimation.
  • To identify reliable mineralogical parameters for dating human remains.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 40 human teeth stored for 0, 10, 25, and 50 years.
  • Utilized X-ray diffraction (XRD) for structural analysis.
  • Employed ATR-FTIR spectroscopy for chemical composition analysis.

Main Results:

  • Crystallinity index, crystal size index, mineral-to-organic matrix ratio (M/M), and carbonate/phosphate ratio (C/P) showed strong associations with PMI.
  • Increased crystallinity, crystal size, and M/M ratio were observed with longer PMIs.
  • A decrease in the C/P ratio correlated with increasing PMI.

Conclusions:

  • Tooth crystallinity, crystal size, M/M, and C/P ratios are accurate indicators for PMI estimation up to 50 years.
  • Crystallinity emerged as the most suitable XRD parameter for PMI determination.
  • Combined XRD and ATR-FTIR analyses present a promising method for dental age estimation.