title: Disinterment from paving materials: use of heavy equipment for exhumation and examination of bodies.
abstract: Common paving materials--concrete and asphalt--pose an unusual and complex barrier to disinterment and examination of human remains. Although not commonly encountered, these materials are seen with sufficient frequency to justify consideration of the procedures and equipment necessary for disinterment. Over a seven year period we have encountered paving materials seven times. In each of these cases, the material was slightly different in quality, and different tools--including heavy construction equipment--were necessary. Sometimes the paving material could be managed without heavy power tools, but occasionally specialized construction tools have proven very useful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology (Forensic Pathology), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hawley
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Harruff
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Pless
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D003252:Construction Materials; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D008297:Male; D011180:Postmortem Changes
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; C006647:asphalt