Raman Handheld Versus Microscopic Spectroscopy for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval of Human Bones: A Comparative Pilot Study

Autor: 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
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Bioengineering, Vol 11, Iss 11, p 1151 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 11111151
2306-5354
DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11111151
Popis: 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 ν1PO43− 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.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals