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Macroscopic Observations of the Effects of Varying Fresh Water pH on Bone

NCJ Number
234444
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2011 Pages: 475-479
Author(s)
Angi M. Christensen, Ph.D.; Sarah W. Myers, B.A.
Date Published
March 2011
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Little is known about the decomposition of remains in aquatic environments of varying pH, and even less is known about the specific effects of these environments on bone.
Abstract
Bovine bones were placed in solutions of pH 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 and observed over a period of 1 year. All solutions eventually removed or dissolved the soft tissues from the external surface of the bone. The pH 7 and pH 10 solutions had little effect on the bone, but the other solutions affected the bone to varying degrees. Extreme pH levels were the most destructive, while more moderate pH levels had lesser but significant and interesting effects. Empirical data on postmortem aquatic changes may be extremely useful in forensic contexts for both improving time since death estimates and also for providing better information to underwater recovery experts thereby potentially increasing the quantity and quality of remains recovery. (Published Abstract)