NCJ Number
140918
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1993) Pages: 98-103
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Cremation as a method of body disposition has increased over the last two decades, and mishandling of the remains is bringing the analysis of cremains to the attention of forensic anthropologists.
Abstract
In the reported case, 3 years after receiving cremains believed to be those of their mother, family members received a second set of cremains also purported to be those of their mother. Questioning which remains were the decedent, the family initiated an anthropological analysis of both sets of remains. The investigation focused on both osseous and nonosseous characteristics of each set. Total weight of the material and differences in both osseous and nonosseous characteristics indicated that the cremains represented two individuals. These differences included the degree of color change due to heat, the amount of bone fragments versus ash, and lead and calcium content remaining in the fragments. Differences in nonosseous components related to coffin hardware and medical and dental artifacts. 8 references, 1 table, and 3 figures