In:
Journal of Forensic Sciences, Wiley, Vol. 53, No. 2 ( 2008-03), p. 397-400
Abstract:
Abstract: Some death scene investigations commence without knowledge of the location of the body and/or decomposition site. In these cases, it is necessary to locate the remains or the site where the body decomposed prior to movement. We hypothesized that the burial of a mammalian cadaver will result in the release of ninhydrin reactive nitrogen (NRN) into associated soil and that this reaction might have potential as a tool for the identification of clandestine graves. Juvenile rat ( Rattus rattus ) cadavers were buried in three contrasting soil types in Australian tropical savanna ecosystems and allowed to decompose over a period of 28 days. Soils were sequentially harvested and analyzed for NRN. Cadaver burial resulted in an approximate doubling (mean = 1.7 ± 0.1) in the concentration of soil NRN. This reaction has great potential to be used as a presumptive test for gravesoil and this use might be greatly enhanced following more detailed research.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-1198
,
1556-4029
DOI:
10.1111/jfo.2008.53.issue-2
DOI:
10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00681.x
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2008
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2026357-0
SSG:
2,1
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