Determining comparative elemental profile using handheld X-ray fluorescence in humans, elephants, dogs, and dolphins: Preliminary study for species identification.
Species identification is a crucial step in forensic anthropological studies. The aim of this study was to determine elemental profiles in bones from four mammal species, to be used for species discrimination. Human, elephant, dog, and dolphin bones were scanned by X-ray fluorescence (XRF); the differences in elemental profiles between species were determined using discriminant analysis. Dogs had the greatest number of elements (23), followed by humans (22) and elephants (20). Dolphins had the lowest number of elements (16). The accuracy rate of species identification in humans, elephants, dogs, and dolphins was 98.7%, 100%, 94.9%, and 92.3%, respectively. We conclude that element profiles of bones based on XRF analyses can serve as a tool for determining species.
Animal Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand; Elephant Research and Education Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand; Excellence Center in Osteology Research and Training Center, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Electronic address: korakot.n@cmu.ac.th.
Korakot
K
Nganvongpanit
Animal Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand. Electronic address: k_buddhachat@yahoo.com.
Kittisak
K
Buddhachat
Elephant Research and Education Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand. Electronic address: yui.sarisarisa@gmail.com.
Sarisa
S
Klinhom
Phuket Marine Biological Center, Phuket 83000, Thailand. Electronic address: marineanimal.vet@gmail.com.
Patcharaporn
P
Kaewmong
Elephant Research and Education Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand. Electronic address: cthitaram@gmail.com.
Chatchote
C
Thitaram
Excellence Center in Osteology Research and Training Center, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Electronic address: pasuk034@gmail.com.
Pasuk
P
Mahakkanukrauh
D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry*; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D004285:Dogs; D004289:Dolphins; D004606:Elephants; D044707:Forensic Sciences; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D013045:Species Specificity; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
D008670:Metals
Bone; Discrimination; Element; Forensic; X-ray fluorescence