Blue-green bone coloration due to diagenetic processes in exhumed human remains - case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60007/antistio.4557Keywords:
stereomicroscopy, microespectroscopy, X ray fluoresence, scanning electronic microscopy, hydroxyapatite, vivianite, blue bonesAbstract
Once in a while the Forensic Anthropology Group of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Colombia (INMLCF) receives skeletonized bodies with atypical adherences or colorations which generate doubts about whether they are linked to the events that led the person to death or are the result of natural chemical transformations.
The Trace Evidence Group of the INMLCF helps the Forensic Anthropology Group to solve these cases. During 2009 and 2010 this last group requested the identification of some adherences found on several bone structures from bodies recovered from clandestine graves located at the Department of Putumayo, in Colombia.
The initial study by stereomicroscopy and FTIR microspectroscopy revealed it was not an adherence but a natural transformation of the bone material. Further analysis by XRF and SEM showed that the coloration was due to the chemical transformation of hydroxyapatite into vivianite.
Author Biographies
Carlos Martín Molina Gallego, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses. Bogotá, Colombia
M.Sc. Geólogo Forense, Grupo de Evidencia Traza, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, Bogotá, Colombia.
Jairo Peláez Rincón, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses. Bogotá, Colombia
B.Sc. Químico Forense, Grupo de Evidencia Traza, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, Bogotá, Colombia.
References
Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses. Circular N° 08-2011-D.G. Abordaje de casos complejos de patología forense. Bogotá, Colombia, abril 13 de 2011.
Fagel, N., Alleman L., Granina L., Hatert F. Thamo-Bozso E, Cloots R, André L. "Vivianite formation and distribution in Lake Baikal sediments". Global and Planetary Change. Elsevier. 2005; 46:315-336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2004.09.022
Frost R., Weier M., Martens W., Kloprogge T., Ding Z. Dehydration of synthetic and natural vivianite. Thermochimica Acta Elsevier. 2002; 401:121-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-6031(02)00505-1
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