Colourimetric analysis of thermally altered human bone samples

At this moment, no method is available to objectively estimate the temperature to which skeletal remains have been exposed during a fire. Estimating this temperature can provide crucial information in a legal investigation. Exposure of bone to heat results in observable and measurable changes, inclu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2019-06, Vol.9 (1), p.8923-10, Article 8923
Main Authors: Krap, Tristan, Ruijter, Jan M, Nota, Kevin, Karel, Joyce, Burgers, A Lieke, Aalders, Maurice C G, Oostra, Roelof-Jan, Duijst, Wilma
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bone and Bones - diagnostic imaging
Colorimetry - methods
Diaphysis
Epiphysis
Heat
Hot Temperature
Humans
Image processing
Long bone
Statistical analysis
Temperature effects
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Summary:At this moment, no method is available to objectively estimate the temperature to which skeletal remains have been exposed during a fire. Estimating this temperature can provide crucial information in a legal investigation. Exposure of bone to heat results in observable and measurable changes, including a change in colour. To determine the exposure temperature of experimental bone samples, heat related changes in colour were systemically studied by means of image analysis. In total 1138 samples of fresh human long bone diaphysis and epiphysis, varying in size, were subjected to heat ranging from room temperature to 900 °C for various durations and in different media. The samples were scanned with a calibrated flatbed scanner and photographed with a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. Red, Green, Blue values and Lightness, A-, and B-coordinates were collected for statistical analysis. Cluster analysis showed that discriminating thresholds for Lightness and B-coordinate could be defined and used to construct a model of decision rules. This model enables the user to differentiate between seven different temperature clusters with relatively high precision and accuracy. The proposed decision model provides an objective, robust and non-destructive method for estimating the exposure temperature of heated bone samples.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-019-45420-8