Multimethod Resolution of a Small‐Scale Case of Commingling1. Issue 2 (16th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Finlayson, Janet E.; Bartelink, Eric J.; Perrone, Alexandra; Dalton, Kevin
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 62:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 493
• Page End: 497
• Publication Date: 2016-11-16
• Subjects: forensic science -- forensic anthropology -- commingled remains -- X‐ray fluorescence -- human remains -- forensic taphonomy; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13265
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

Abstract: This study highlights the use of multiple methods for resolving a case of commingled human remains. Skeletal remains were located in a marijuana field in rural northern California by law enforcement. Although initially buried in shallow graves, the remains of two decedents were disturbed by large carnivores and scattered over a wide area. The remains were submitted by law enforcement for forensic anthropological analysis and resolution of commingling. To segregate the remains of the two individuals, a number of methods were employed, including: (i) physical matching of fragmented remains; (ii) articulation to evaluate joint congruence; (iii) visual pair‐matching of bilateral elements; (iv) osteometric pair‐matching; (v) evaluation of taphonomic patterns; (vi) DNA analysis; and (vii) portable X‐ray spectrometry (pXRF). This multimethod approach resulted in accurate resolution of the commingling and facilitated reconstruction of the biological profiles, taphonomic patterns, and trauma analysis for each individual.