Temperature-specific spectral shift of luminescing thermally altered human remains

Human bone has shown to have luminescent properties that remain throughout the phases of cremation, with the exception of fully carbonized bone, when excited with a narrow band light source. During this research, an alternate light source (420-470nm, peak at 445nm) was used to visualize and investigate latent details relevant for forensic investigations of human remains recovered at fire scenes. As fire is a destructive force, it induces a vast variety of physical and chemical alterations to all components of the bone, making the subsequent analysis and interpretation of burned human remains challenging. A spectral shift in emission bandwidth, from green to red, was previously observed when the exposure temperature increased from 700 to 800 degrees C. This spectral shift was reproduced on a total of 10 human forearms, divided into 20 segments, by burning at 700 degrees C and 900 degrees C in an ashing furnace. The shift of emission bandwidth caused only by an increase in temperature was furthermore investigated by colorimetric analysis, proving the spectral shift to be significant. By easily quantifying the spectral shift, substantiation is provided for the use of this technique in practice to improve the interpretation of heat induced changes of bone.

Automated summary

This study found that human bones exhibit luminescent properties during the process of cremation, except for fully carbonized bones, when exposed to a specific light source. The researchers used an alternate light source to visualize and investigate latent details crucial for forensic investigations of burned human remains. The destructive nature of fire causes significant physical and chemical changes to the bone, making the analysis and interpretation of burned remains challenging. A previous observation of a spectral shift in emission bandwidth from green to red with increasing exposure temperature was reproduced in this study using burned human forearms. The quantification of this spectral shift provides evidence for the use of this technique in improving the interpretation of heat-induced changes in bones.