title: Recovery Rates of Human Fetal Skeletal Remains Using Varying Mesh Sizes.
abstract: Human fetal skeletal elements of different gestational ages were screened with multiple mesh sizes (6.4 mm [1/4 inch], 3.2 mm [1/8 inch], 2.0 mm, and 1.0 mm) to determine their recovery rates. All remains were previously macerated, and no significantly damaged elements were used. The 6.4 mm mesh allowed a large loss of elements (63.2% overall), including diagnostic elements, while no diagnostic elements were lost when the 1 mm mesh (0.2%) was used. When using the 3.2 mm mesh, 16.2% of the bones were lost, including some diagnostic elements (primarily tooth crowns), while 7.5% were lost using the 2.0 mm mesh. The authors recommend that the potential loss of information incurred when utilizing larger mesh sizes be taken into consideration when planning recovery methods where fetal remains may be encountered and that a minimum of 1.0 mm mesh be utilized in recovery contexts known to include fetal remains.
authors.affiliation: Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, L1004, Boston, MA, 02118.|Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 720 Albany Street, Boston, MA, 02118.
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Pokines
authors.affiliation: Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, L1004, Boston, MA, 02118.
authors.forename: Jade S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: De La Paz
mesh_terms: D000071298:Body Remains; D001842:Bone and Bones; D005333:Fetus; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling
keywords: fetal skeletal remains; forensic anthropology; forensic science; mesh size; recovery methods; screening; taphonomy