Thermal alteration of skeletal remains in forensic anthropology: a systematic review

Heat-induced deaths create complex challenges in forensic anthropology because thermal exposure causes significant structural and chemical changes in skeletal remains. This systematic review aims to examine heat-induced alterations in human bone and evaluate their importance for forensic anthropological examination in heat-induced contexts. A systematic literature search was conducted with PRISMA guidelines using keywords related to burned bone, forensic anthropology, and fire exposure. Studies focusing on thermally altered human skeletal remains were included, while studies involving animals or archaeological material were excluded. This systematic review shows that thermal exposure produces predictable macroscopic and microscopic changes in bone, including progressive color change, shrinkage, warping, and fracture formation. These changes are influenced not only by temperature but also by oxygen availability, combustion duration, and burning conditions. The findings indicate that the effects of thermal alteration vary according to the component of the biological profile. being assessed, the methods employed, and the degree of skeletal preservation. Trauma examination in burned samples remains possible in some cases, although fragmentation and calcination may obscure diagnostic features. Understanding the mechanisms of heat-induced skeletal alteration improves the examination of burned human remains and supports more reliable forensic anthropological analysis in fire-related investigations.