NCJ Number
30569
Journal
Japanese Journal of Legal Medicine Volume: 28 Issue: 5 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 362-382
Date Published
1974
Length
21 pages
Annotation
IT IS USEFUL TO INVESTIGATE THE SURFACE OF TEETH AS A METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF POSTMORTEM LAPSE OF TIME, IF CHARACTERISTIC ELAPSING CHANGES CAN BE OBSERVED ON THE SURFACE OF TEETH IN SNOW.
Abstract
SURFACE OF 306 HUMAN TEETH PUT IN SNOW, ICE, WATER, COLD AIR IN A FREEZER AND IN AIR AT ROOM TEMPERATURE FOR 16 MONTHS WERE OBSERVED WITH A LIGHT MICROSCOPE. CHARACTERISTIC PATTERN OF CRACK ON THE CEMENTUM SURFACE OF TEETH BURIED IN SNOW WAS OBSERVED. BY THIS CHARACTERISTIC PATTERN OF CRACK, IT IS ABLE TO DISTINGUISH THE BURIED TEETH IN SNOW FROM THE TEETH IN THE OTHER CONDITIONS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE DISTINCTIVE CRACK PATTERN WAS PRODUCED BY SLOW EVAPORATION OF WATER FROM THE TEETH IN SNOW. THIS CONDITION IS CONSISTENT WITH PHYSICAL PROCESSES. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. --IN JAPANESE. SUMMARY IN ENGLISH. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)