title: Dynamics of ninhydrin-reactive nitrogen and pH in gravesoil during the extended postmortem interval.
abstract: Estimating the postmortem interval of skeletal remains is difficult, as few tools exist to do so. To address this problem, we conducted a field experiment to measure the chemistry of swine (Sus scrofa domesticus Linnaeus) gravesoil after 1 year and 3 years postmortem. Carcasses were placed on the soil surface of a pasture during June in a cold (Dfa) climate. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in ninhydrin-reactive nitrogen, pH, total nitrogen, and nitrate in gravesoil were detected 1 year postmortem. Significant differences in gravesoil chemistry were not detected 3 years postmortem. These observations coincided with gaps in plant growth 1 year postmortem and the development of lush vegetation 3 years postmortem. We conclude that these phenomena can be used to assist the decision-making process regarding the allocation of resources during the early stages of a death investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, 68583, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Brianna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, 68583, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, 68583, NE, USA.
authors.forename: David O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D064751:Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D023421:Models, Animal; D009555:Ninhydrin; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D064751:Ammonium Compounds; D012987:Soil; D002244:Carbon; D009555:Ninhydrin; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: ammonium; cadaver decomposition island; carbon; clandestine grave; forensic science; forensic taphonomy; nitrate; nitrogen; pH