Testing of skeletonized human remains using GC/MS – development of a personal environmental profile

ABSTRACT

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is well used in forensic science for the identification of materials present in toxicology, pharmacology and arson investigation. However, GC/MS has been underused in human identification. In this study, highly commingled skeletonized remains from a mass fatality incident involving over 400 individuals were examined. Environmental compounds and those present in the remains themselves were extracted from osseous materials removed from the surface of the skeletal elements using two different solvents, dichloromethane and acetonitrile. Solvent extracts were concentrated and resuspended in methanol prior to injection on the GC/MS instrument. Compounds present from the environment surrounding the individual post-mortem, as well as biological materials present in the individual ante-mortem, are detectable. Traces generated from the GC/MS instrument provide distinctive images, and analysis of those materials shows patterns that are specific to the individual and may be used for individuation. Results indicate that GC/MS analysis of skeletonized remains may be a new tool for human identification.

KEYWORDS:

• Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
• skeletonized remains
• human identification
• mass fatalities

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. The opinions or assertions presented are the private views of the author and should not be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of Defense; the Defense Health Agency; the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System; or the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.