title: Identification of a disinterred grave by molecular and stable isotope analysis.
abstract: Confirmation of a potential disinterred grave was sought by GC and GC/MS analyses of lipid extracts of whole soils and white particulate matter. Fatty acid profiles and concentrations determined for three of the soils correlated with the deposition of a large amount of exogenous organic matter, most likely adipocere and/or decomposed body fat. Determination of C16:0 and C18:0 fatty acid delta13C values by GC/C/IRMS revealed the input to be isotopically distinct from common British domesticated animals, plotting closely to values determined for adipose fat obtained from of a murder victim. By considering the difference between delta13C values (delta13C18:0-16:0) a potential isotopic proxy for identifying the source of adipocere (human) and adipose tissue was proposed.
authors.affiliation: Organic Geochemistry Unit, Bristol Biogeochemistry Research Centre, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK. ian.d.bull@bris.ac.uk
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Bull
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berstan
authors.forename: Arpad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vass
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Evershed
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D002048:Burial; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012988:Soil Microbiology
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D005227:Fatty Acids; D012987:Soil; D006859:Hydrogen; D009584:Nitrogen