title: [Influence of grave chamber systems on decomposition].
abstract: Grave chambers allow bodies to decompose independent of hydrogeological circumstances. We examined the degree of body decomposition in 11 grave chambers after burial times between 12.1 and 15.3 years (mean 13.0 years). In 8 of the examined 11 bodies, bones were separated due to complete loss of tissue continuity. In 3 cases, the graves were partly not properly constructed and tissue continuity was at least partially preserved. Biochemical estimation of the age at the time of death on the basis of six teeth gathered during the inspection of the grave chambers showed only one result that could not be explained by the standard deviation of the method used.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Rechtsmedizin des Universitätsklinikums Düsseldorf.
authors.forename: Benno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hartung
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matzenauer
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ritz-Timme