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Cited by 6Forensic Entomology and Diptera StudiesForensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesArchaeology and ancient environmental studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 81 of the 81 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Taphonomy and diagenesis of submerged bone: An experimental approach

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Guareschi, Edda E., Nicholls, Philip K., Tobe, Shanan S., Magni, Paola A.·2025·Forensic Science International
DOI 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112416
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Abstract

Bone taphonomy and diagenesis contribute to anthropological analysis in forensic investigations by attempting to reconstruct the relationship between human cadaveric remains and their postmortem depositional environment. The rare aquatic taphonomic experiments have been delivering conflicting results on the influence of time and the environment on the decay of bone and teeth, especially considering that the main diagenetic processes can lead to fragmentation, progressive dissolution or fossilization. The aim of this experimental, quantitative, randomized and controlled 2-year study was to analyse the taphonomy and diagenesis of submerged terrestrial mammalian bones to achieve a more accurate estimation of both the post-mortem interval (PMI) and the post-mortem submersion interval (PMSI) in the short term. Three parameters of bone diagenesis, the Oxford Histological Index (OHI), the total porosity and the collagen content of cortical bone were analysed by MicroCT Scan, bright-field Light Microscopy (Picrosirius Red stain), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) on 75 sheep femurs and tibias placed in four distinct types of environment (natural saltwater, natural freshwater, an artificial seawater solution and exposed to the air) vs. non-exposed controls. LA-ICP-MS was soon discontinued because no measurable changes of the elemental profiles could be detected. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to the collected data. The macroscopical preservation was consistently excellent (OHI=5). The total porosity and the degradation of collagen were greater underwater than in subaerial exposure, whereas demineralization zones and bioerosion tunnelling appeared after 12 months in the air-exposed samples only. Underwater, the continuous movement, the correlated abrasion by sand and sediment and the constant alkaline pH (≥ 8) can explain the progressive removal of the mineral component and the subsequent exposure of collagen to bioeroders and chemical hydrolysis. On land, the same process occurs at a slower rate on account of the seasonality of the water flow, however, the action of the more abundant and diversified species of bioeroding microorganisms appears more efficient. Despite some limitations, this study indicates that three parameters of bone diagenesis can predict the depositional environment of terrestrial mammalian bone characterized by a PMI and/or PMSI of at least 12 months.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112416

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Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Pokines, 2015, Macroscopic Taphonomic Alterations to Human Bone Recovered from Marine Environments, J. Forensic Identif., 953
  2. Suvarna, S.K., C. Layton, and J.D. Bancroft, Bancroft's theory and practice of histological techniques. Seventh ed. 2013, Oxford: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

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Metadata

Authors
Guareschi, E. E., Nicholls, P. K., Tobe, S. S., & Magni, P. A.
Affiliations
Murdoch University (AU)
Corresponding author
Guareschi, Edda E.
ORCID
Venue
Forensic Science International
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-05
Volume
370
Pages
112416
ISSN
0379-0738 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112416
OpenAlex
W4408050336
Cited by
6
References
80
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 2
FWCI
4.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Forensic Science International (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Murdoch University Research Portal (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • University of Western Australia
  • Murdoch University
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology (arts and humanities) › Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Archeology › Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
Keywords
bone taphonomy, bone diagenesis, postmortem interval estimation, bone porosity, collagen degradation, demineralization, bioerosion, depositional environment, forensic anthropology
MeSH terms
Animals, Collagen, Femur, Fresh Water, Immersion, Microscopy, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Postmortem Changes, Seawater, Sheep, Mass Spectrometry, Porosity, Forensic Anthropology, Models, Animal, X-Ray Microtomography

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