Effects of Aluminum Foil Packaging on Elemental Analysis of Bone1, 2. Issue 2 (22nd December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lewis, Lyniece; Christensen, Angi M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 61:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 439
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2015-12-22
• Subjects: forensic science -- forensic anthropology -- skeletal remains -- evidence packaging -- aluminum foil -- elemental analysis; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12994
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

Abstract: Burned skeletal material is often very fragile and at high risk for fragmentation during packaging and transportation. One method that has been suggested to protect bones in these cases is to carefully wrap them in aluminum foil. Traces of aluminum, however, are known to transfer from foil packaging materials to food products. If such transfer occurs between aluminum foil and bones, it could interfere with subsequent chemical, elemental and isotopic analyses, which are becoming more common in forensic anthropological investigations. This study examined aluminum levels in bones prior to and following the use of aluminum foil packaging and storage for a 6‐week period. Results indicate no significant change in the detected levels of aluminum ( p > 0.05), even when packaged in compromised foil and exposed to elevated temperatures. Aluminum foil can therefore continue to be recommended as a packaging medium without affecting subsequent chemical examinations.