Identification of a disinterred grave by molecular and stable isotope analysis.
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.
Bull
Ian D
ID
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
Berstan
Robert
R
Vass
Arpad
A
Evershed
Richard P
RP
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
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D005227:Fatty Acids; D012987:Soil; D006859:Hydrogen; D009584:Nitrogen