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Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
A XAS approach to forensic profiling: Characterisation of human burned skeletal remains
M P M Marques1, D Gianolio2, N Ramanan2
1University of Coimbra, Department of Chemistry, Molecular Physical-Chemistry, LAQV/Requimte, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract:
Human skeletal samples burned between 200 and 1000 °C, in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, were probed by synchrotron-based Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure with a view to interpret heat-induced variations in chemical composition and structure. Heat-prompted changes in Ca2+ first and second coordination shells were unveiled (regarding PO43-, CO32- and/or OH- ligands). A higher crystallinity degree was found for 800-1000 °C burning temperatures as compared to 200-700 °C, in agreement with the higher amount of organic components in moderately heated samples. The unique local structural information delivered by XAS, particularly on the Ca2+ coordination environment which determines bone's structural features and degree of crystallinity, enabled an improved understanding of the heat-elicited changes undergone by bone, not previously accessed by other techniques. This is an innovative study, with a high impact in forensic and bioarchaeological research, focused on the analysis of burned human skeletal remains.
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