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Results for “MORTUARY PRACTICE”

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PubMed1978

Hodgkin's grave.

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History, 19th Century↗
PubMed1996

Quantification of epithelial cell micronuclei by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in mortuary science students exposed to formaldehyde.

A micronucleus assay employing fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a centromeric probe was used on specimens of exfoliated buccal and nasal cells collected from mortuary science students exposed to embalming fluid containing formaldehyde. FISH labeling allowed micronuclei (MN) containing a whole chromosome (centromere-positive, MN+) to be differentiated from those containing only chromosomal fragments (centromere-negative, MN-). Each student was sampled before and after the 90 day embalming class. We determined if an increase in MN frequency could be attributed to formaldehyde exposure and was specific to either MN+ or MN-. In buccal cells, total MN frequency was significantly increased from 0.6/1000 to 2/1000 (p = 0.007) following the course, whereas in nasal cells it was not (2 and 2.5/1000, respectively, p = 0.2). Cells with multiple MN were present only in samples taken after exposure to embalming fluid. Although the baseline frequency was higher for MN+ in both buccal (0.4/1000 for MN+ and 0.1/1000 for MN-) and nasal cells (1.2/1000 for MN+ and 0.5/1000 for MN-), the increase in MN frequency was greater for MN-, (9-fold, p = 0.005 for buccal cells; 2-fold, p = 0.03 for nasal cells) than for MN+ (> 2-fold, p = 0.08 for buccal cells; no change, p = 0.31 for nasal cells) in both tissues. Thus, the primary mechanism of micronucleus formation appeared to be chromosome breakage. This finding is consistent with known clastogenic properties of formaldehyde, the component of embalming fluid most likely responsible for micronucleus induction.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Elemental analysis of bone: proton-induced X-ray emission testing in forensic cases.

Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) is a spectroscopic technique that provides the researcher with the elemental composition of a given target material. In this paper, we illustrate the utility of PIXE analysis in two forensic contexts: (1) case of cremation in which the nature of the remains is questioned and (2) cases of death by gunshot wound. In the first case, elemental analysis by PIXE reveals that the purported cremated remains are not bone. The last two cases show that radiopaque metallic residue embedded in bone is composed of lead from a projectile.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1997

Fractures of the base of the skull in charred bodies--post-mortem heat injuries or signs of mechanical traumatisation?

Based on a recent case, in which an expert opinion had to be prepared, the question was investigated if fractures of the base of the skull can result from the influence of heat on the human skull. Neither the retrospective analysis of autopsy records nor the prospective examination of charred bodies revealed any cases with heat-induced fractures of the base of the skull. Observation of cremations showed that the changes caused by the fire followed certain rules: fractures of the calvaria were seen after approximately 20 min; the base of the skull became exposed after about 45 to 60 min. In none of the 20 cremations watched could any fractures of the base of the skull be detected.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The degree of destruction of human bodies in relation to the duration of the fire.

The changes occurring during cremation were watched and documented in 15 undissected bodies to be cremated. It was found that at temperatures between 670 and 810 degrees C the body showed the "pugilistic attitude" after about 10 minutes. After 20 minutes the calvaria was free from any soft tissue and fissures of the tabula externa could be noticed. The body cavities became visible after approximately 30 minutes, so that the organs were exposed. Forty minutes after cremation had started, the internal organs were severely shrunken and showed a net-like or sponge-like structure. After about 50 minutes the extremities were destroyed to an extent leaving only the torso which broke apart after 1-1.5 hours. The complete incineration of a human body took about 2-3 hours.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Additional manal and pedal epiphyseal centres.

One hundred and thirty-six well-preserved medieval skeletons were excavated in advance of re-development in Norwich. Examination of sub-adult hand and feet bones indicated a high percentage of accessory epiphyses. The majority could be identified by traces of a fusion line. The distal first metacarpal and first metatarsal being the preferred sites. Such additional epiphyses have rarely been reported in archaeological samples and the findings are in strong contrast to the figures quoted in modern anatomical texts. The possible reasons for this apparent variation are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Characterizing the emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from crematories and their impacts to the surrounding environment.

This study was set out to characterize PCDD/F emissions from crematories and assess their impacts on the surrounding environment. Two crematories located in southern Taiwan were investigated, including the one (C1) with no air pollution control device installed and the other (C2) installed with a bag filter. Results show the mean PCDD/F emissions (11% oxygen) from the stacks of Cl and C2 were 2.36 and 0.322 ng I-TEQ Nm(-3), respectively. The mean emission factors for C1 and C2 were 13.6 and 6.11 microg I-TEQ body(-1), respectively. The removal efficiency of the bag filter on PCDD/Fs was 55.1%. The estimated PCDD/F emission rate for all crematories in Taiwan was 0.838 g I-TEG yr(-1) accounting for 227% and 112% of the annual emissions from all medical waste incinerators and municipal waste incinerators, respectively. The above results indicate that PCDD/F emissions from crematories were quite significant. To assess the impact of PCDD/F emissions from a crematory to the surrounding environment, ambient air samples were collected from the downwind site of C1 with the maximum ground concentration. We found the estimated maximum ground concentration at the downwind site of C1 (= 0.521 pg I-TEQ Nm(-3)) was much higherthan thatfound atthe background, rural area, residential area, urban area, and industrial area (= 0.006, 0.023, 0.052, 0.093, and 0.190 pg I-TEG Nm(-3), respectively). The above results suggestthat PCDD/F emissions from a crematory did significantly affect its surrounding environment. In conclusion, a proper control strategy should be taken immediately in order to eliminate PCDD/F emissions from crematories.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2004

An operationally defined method to determine the speciation of mercury.

This paper presents a modified method of an operationally determined speciation of mercury in soil. The analytical work was mainly concerned to suit properly with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Soil samples analysed in this study were selected from open areas around a crematorium, a waste incinerator, and two power plants. Results show that both topsoil and subsoil samples were dominated by elemental mercury Hg(0) and mercuric sulphide (HgS). The significant correlation between sulphur concentration and HgS was found in topsoil samples.

Geologic Sediments↗
PubMed2002

Body handlers after terrorism in Oklahoma City: predictors of posttraumatic stress and other symptoms.

Posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms were assessed in 51 body handlers after Oklahoma City's 1995 terrorist bombing. Although many handlers were inexperienced and knew someone killed, symptoms were low postdisaster and decreased significantly after 1 year. Higher symptomatology and seeking mental health treatment correlated with increases in alcohol use and new physical problems but not with demographics, exposure, or experience. Four respondents with the highest posttraumatic stress symptoms at both time points reported high physical and alcohol use problems and mental health treatment use, suggesting that these should be carefully assessed in body handlers postdisaster. Coping techniques are described, as well as possible reasons for unexpected resilience in the majority.

Adaptation, Psychological↗