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Updated: Aug 2, 2025
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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
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Quantifying microcracks on fractured bone surfaces - Potential use in forensic anthropology
Steven J Walden1, Wendy Rowe2, Jacqui Mulville3
1School of Engineering, School of History, Archaeology and Religion, Cardiff University, UK.
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
|April 15, 2023
Summary
Bone fracture surface morphology changes during decomposition, affecting microcrack patterns. This research suggests these changes can help distinguish between perimortem and taphonomic damage, aiding in post-mortem interval estimation.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Taphonomy
- Bioarchaeology
Background:
- Bone fracture surface morphology (FSM) is crucial for forensic and archaeological failure analysis.
- FSM is influenced by loading conditions, ambient conditions, and bone material quality.
- Taphonomic processes, including decomposition, alter bone material quality and consequently FSM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how soft tissue decomposition affects bone fracture surface morphology.
- To determine if taphonomic changes in FSM can differentiate perimortem from taphonomic damage.
- To explore the potential of FSM as a parameter for estimating post-mortem interval (PMI).
Main Methods:
- Porcine bones were subjected to standardized impact fractures during a 140-day decomposition period.
- Fractures were analyzed at 28-day intervals, correlating with 638 cooling degree days.
- Microcracks on cortical bone surfaces were measured and their morphology documented.
Main Results:
- Mean microcrack length on fractured bone surfaces increased progressively during decomposition, from approximately 180 μm to 375 μm.
- Microcrack morphology evolved from multiple intersecting cracks to longer, linear cracks tracking lamellae.
- These changes correlated with the progression of soft tissue decomposition.
Conclusions:
- Taphonomic alterations in bone fracture surface morphology are significant.
- Observed FSM changes may enable the distinction between perimortem and taphonomic bone damage.
- FSM analysis presents a potential new method for estimating the post-mortem interval in forensic investigations.
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