title: Multimethod Resolution of a Small-Scale Case of Commingling.
abstract: This study highlights the use of multiple methods for resolving a case of commingled human remains. Skeletal remains were located in a marijuana field in rural northern California by law enforcement. Although initially buried in shallow graves, the remains of two decedents were disturbed by large carnivores and scattered over a wide area. The remains were submitted by law enforcement for forensic anthropological analysis and resolution of commingling. To segregate the remains of the two individuals, a number of methods were employed, including: (i) physical matching of fragmented remains; (ii) articulation to evaluate joint congruence; (iii) visual pair-matching of bilateral elements; (iv) osteometric pair-matching; (v) evaluation of taphonomic patterns; (vi) DNA analysis; and (vii) portable X-ray spectrometry (pXRF). This multimethod approach resulted in accurate resolution of the commingling and facilitated reconstruction of the biological profiles, taphonomic patterns, and trauma analysis for each individual.
authors.affiliation: Human Identification Laboratory, Department of Anthropology, California State University-Chico, 400 West 1st Street, Chico, CA, 95929-0400.
authors.forename: Janet E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Finlayson
authors.affiliation: Human Identification Laboratory, Department of Anthropology, California State University-Chico, 400 West 1st Street, Chico, CA, 95929-0400.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Bartelink
authors.affiliation: Human Identification Laboratory, Department of Anthropology, California State University-Chico, 400 West 1st Street, Chico, CA, 95929-0400.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.affiliation: Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Laboratory, JBPHH, HI, 96853.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dalton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: X-ray fluorescence; commingled remains; forensic anthropology; forensic science; forensic taphonomy; human remains