title: Microscopic residues of bone from dissolving human remains in acids.
abstract: Dissolving bodies is a current method of disposing of human remains and has been practiced throughout the years. During the last decade in the Netherlands, two cases have emerged in which human remains were treated with acid. In the first case, the remains of a cremated body were treated with hydrofluoric acid. In the second case, two complete bodies were dissolved in a mixture of hydrochloric and sulfuric acid. In both cases, a great variety of evidence was collected at the scene of crime, part of which was embedded in resin, polished, and investigated using SEM/EDX. Apart from macroscopic findings like residual bone and artificial teeth, in both cases, distinct microscopic residues of bone were found as follows: (partly) digested bone, thin-walled structures, and recrystallized calcium phosphate. Although some may believe it is possible to dissolve a body in acid completely, at least some of these microscopic residues will always be found.
authors: Netherlands Forensic Institute, P.O. Box 24044, 2490AA, The Hague, Netherlands.
authors: Erwin
authors: E
authors: Vermeij
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Zoon
authors: Mayonne
authors: M
authors: van Wijk
authors: Reza
authors: R
authors: Gerretsen
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002102:Cadaver; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry; D002712:Chlorides / Q000737:chemistry; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D055700:Cremation; D005459:Fluorides / Q000737:chemistry; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009566:Nitrates / Q000737:chemistry; D017942:Nitric Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000737:chemistry; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D002712:Chlorides; D009566:Nitrates; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D010758:Phosphorus; D017942:Nitric Acid; C020243:calcium phosphate; C033158:sulfuric acid; D005459:Fluorides; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid
keywords: acid; body disposal; bone; forensic anthropology; forensic science; ion chromatography; lye; microtraces; residues; scanning electron microscopy