Raman Handheld Versus Microscopic Spectroscopy for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval of Human Bones: A Comparative Pilot Study
The post-mortem interval estimation for human skeletal remains is critical in forensic medicine. This study used Raman spectroscopy, specifically comparing a handheld device to a Raman microscope for PMI estimations. Analyzing 99 autopsy bone samples and 5 archeological samples, the research categor...
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2024-11-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/11/1151 |
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| author | Johannes Dominikus Pallua Christina Louis Nicole Gattermair Andrea Brunner Bettina Zelger Michael Schirmer Jovan Badzoka Christoph Kappacher Christian Wolfgang Huck Jürgen Popp Walter Rabl Claudia Wöss |
| author_facet | Johannes Dominikus Pallua Christina Louis Nicole Gattermair Andrea Brunner Bettina Zelger Michael Schirmer Jovan Badzoka Christoph Kappacher Christian Wolfgang Huck Jürgen Popp Walter Rabl Claudia Wöss |
| author_sort | Johannes Dominikus Pallua |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The post-mortem interval estimation for human skeletal remains is critical in forensic medicine. This study used Raman spectroscopy, specifically comparing a handheld device to a Raman microscope for PMI estimations. Analyzing 99 autopsy bone samples and 5 archeological samples, the research categorized them into five PMI classes using conventional methods. Key parameters—like ν<sub>1</sub>PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3−</sup> intensity and crystallinity—were measured and analyzed. A principal component analysis effectively distinguished between PMI classes, indicating high classification accuracy for both devices. While both methods proved reliable, the fluorescence interference presented challenges in accurately determining the age of archeological samples. Ultimately, the study highlighted how Raman spectroscopy could enhance PMI estimation accuracy, especially in non-specialized labs, suggesting the potential for improved device optimization in the field. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-abeca10eb93040a8b07773ae64b8e788 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2306-5354 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Bioengineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-abeca10eb93040a8b07773ae64b8e7882025-08-20T01:53:52ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542024-11-011111115110.3390/bioengineering11111151Raman Handheld Versus Microscopic Spectroscopy for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval of Human Bones: A Comparative Pilot StudyJohannes Dominikus Pallua0Christina Louis1Nicole Gattermair2Andrea Brunner3Bettina Zelger4Michael Schirmer5Jovan Badzoka6Christoph Kappacher7Christian Wolfgang Huck8Jürgen Popp9Walter Rabl10Claudia Wöss11Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, AustriaInstitute of Pathology, Neuropathology, and Molecular Pathology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstrasse 44, 6020 Innsbruck, AustriaInstitute of Pathology, Neuropathology, and Molecular Pathology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstrasse 44, 6020 Innsbruck, AustriaOffice Dr. Schirmer, 6060 Hall, AustriaInstitute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, AustriaInstitute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, AustriaInstitute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, AustriaLeibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, 9, 07745 Jena, GermanyInstitute of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstraße 44, 6020 Innsbruck, AustriaInstitute of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstraße 44, 6020 Innsbruck, AustriaThe post-mortem interval estimation for human skeletal remains is critical in forensic medicine. This study used Raman spectroscopy, specifically comparing a handheld device to a Raman microscope for PMI estimations. Analyzing 99 autopsy bone samples and 5 archeological samples, the research categorized them into five PMI classes using conventional methods. Key parameters—like ν<sub>1</sub>PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3−</sup> intensity and crystallinity—were measured and analyzed. A principal component analysis effectively distinguished between PMI classes, indicating high classification accuracy for both devices. While both methods proved reliable, the fluorescence interference presented challenges in accurately determining the age of archeological samples. Ultimately, the study highlighted how Raman spectroscopy could enhance PMI estimation accuracy, especially in non-specialized labs, suggesting the potential for improved device optimization in the field.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/11/1151human skeletal remainspost-mortem intervalRamanprincipal component analyses |
| spellingShingle | Johannes Dominikus Pallua Christina Louis Nicole Gattermair Andrea Brunner Bettina Zelger Michael Schirmer Jovan Badzoka Christoph Kappacher Christian Wolfgang Huck Jürgen Popp Walter Rabl Claudia Wöss Raman Handheld Versus Microscopic Spectroscopy for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval of Human Bones: A Comparative Pilot Study Bioengineering human skeletal remains post-mortem interval Raman principal component analyses |
| title | Raman Handheld Versus Microscopic Spectroscopy for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval of Human Bones: A Comparative Pilot Study |
| title_full | Raman Handheld Versus Microscopic Spectroscopy for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval of Human Bones: A Comparative Pilot Study |
| title_fullStr | Raman Handheld Versus Microscopic Spectroscopy for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval of Human Bones: A Comparative Pilot Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Raman Handheld Versus Microscopic Spectroscopy for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval of Human Bones: A Comparative Pilot Study |
| title_short | Raman Handheld Versus Microscopic Spectroscopy for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval of Human Bones: A Comparative Pilot Study |
| title_sort | raman handheld versus microscopic spectroscopy for estimating the post mortem interval of human bones a comparative pilot study |
| topic | human skeletal remains post-mortem interval Raman principal component analyses |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/11/1151 |
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