TY - JOUR
T1 - Optimizing parameters for the use of alternate light sources in detecting fragmentary bones : a pilot study
AU - Green, H.
AU - Jabez, J.
AU - Nelson, J.
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Recent studies have suggested that alternate light sources (ALS) are effective in detecting bone and teeth fragments at crime scenes. These studies, however, are few in number and provide no consensus as to the optimum combination of wavelength and filter for best detecting bone from non-bone material. Additionally, each study has been conducted using different environments, bone species and varying degrees of exposure to taphonomic factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimum parameters of ALS for the detection of bone and teeth fragments in a laboratory setting. Human and non-human bone, and tooth fragments were compared with non-bone material using handheld Rofin Poliflares. Temperature-treated bones (frozen, boiled and burnt) were included to assess if taphonomic factors affected fluorescence. Wavelengths ranging from 415 nm-530 nm were used and fluorescence was recorded using photographic images, and intensity analysed in ImageJ. Results of this pilot study found that the 450 nm Poliflare with orange filter provided the best discrimination of bone/tooth versus non-bone when used at a distance of up to 100 cm from the objects. Fluorescence of heat-treated bones is weakened at distances greater than 30 cm, which should be taken into account when temperature modification to remains is suspected.
AB - Recent studies have suggested that alternate light sources (ALS) are effective in detecting bone and teeth fragments at crime scenes. These studies, however, are few in number and provide no consensus as to the optimum combination of wavelength and filter for best detecting bone from non-bone material. Additionally, each study has been conducted using different environments, bone species and varying degrees of exposure to taphonomic factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimum parameters of ALS for the detection of bone and teeth fragments in a laboratory setting. Human and non-human bone, and tooth fragments were compared with non-bone material using handheld Rofin Poliflares. Temperature-treated bones (frozen, boiled and burnt) were included to assess if taphonomic factors affected fluorescence. Wavelengths ranging from 415 nm-530 nm were used and fluorescence was recorded using photographic images, and intensity analysed in ImageJ. Results of this pilot study found that the 450 nm Poliflare with orange filter provided the best discrimination of bone/tooth versus non-bone when used at a distance of up to 100 cm from the objects. Fluorescence of heat-treated bones is weakened at distances greater than 30 cm, which should be taken into account when temperature modification to remains is suspected.
KW - bones
KW - fluorescence
KW - forensic anthropology
KW - light sources
KW - taphonomy
UR - http://handle.westernsydney.edu.au:8081/1959.7/uws:49765
U2 - 10.1080/00450618.2019.1571104
DO - 10.1080/00450618.2019.1571104
M3 - Article
SN - 0045-0618
VL - 51
SP - 201
EP - 204
JO - Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences
JF - Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences
IS - S1
ER -