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The analysis of traces of injuries can be difficult in cases of charred human remains since the alteration and fragmentation are high. The aim of this study is to explore the use of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technique as a screening tool for detecting and analyzing gunshot residues (GSR) on cremated and highly fragmented materials, as it is a technique that allows for fast qualitative investigations without altering the sample or requiring sample preparation. The study was carried out on two steps: firstly, on completed skeletonized bones to verify if GSR survive to burning; secondly, we considered a more realistic situation, in which soft tissues were present before the shooting. To this aim, nine adult bovine ribs, four retaining soft tissue, five completely skeletonized, were subjected to a shooting test using two types of 9 mm projectiles (jacketed and unjacketed bullets). The ribs were then burnt until complete calcination in an electric furnace. The entry wound of each rib was analyzed using XRF, revealing traces of GSR. The XRF analysis showed that all samples, except for one, contain Pb and/or Sb near the lesion. Furthermore, the samples hit by unjacketed bullets had a more significant presence of Pb in macroscopic yellow areas, which persisted when moving away from the gunshot. These findings could pave the way for the use of XRF technology, mostly when a fast and immediate scan must be done on osteologic materials by a conservative method., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Pork ribs with intact muscle tissue were used in an experimental attempt to identify bullet wipe on bone at distances from 1 to 6 feet with 0.45 caliber, full metal jacket ammunition. This resulted in the unexpected finding of primer-derived gunshot residue (GSR) deep within the wound tract. Of significance is the fact that the GSR was deposited on the bone, under the periosteum, after the bullet passed through a Ziploc bag and c. 1 inch of muscle tissue. It is also important to note that the GSR persisted on the bone after the periosteum was forcibly removed. The presence of primer-derived GSR on bone provides the potential to differentiate gunshot trauma from blunt trauma when the bone presents an atypical gunshot wound. In this study, the presence of gunshot primer residue at a distance of 6 feet demonstrates the potential for establishing maximum gun-to-target distance for remote shootings.

We analyzed lead concentrations in bones from both genders of Japanese merchants (including rohnin; masterless samurai) and farmer classes, and compared the findings with those of the samurai class in the Edo period (1603-1867) to clarify gender and hierarchical (or occupational) differences in lead exposure during the Japanese feudal age. Merchant class females had significantly higher lead exposure (90.8 microg Pb/g dry bone; n=20) than males of the same class (39.9 microg Pb/g dry bone; n=31) (p<0.01), indicating a remarkable gender difference in the urban population. In contrast to these high concentrations, males and females of the farmer class living in agricultural (or semi-rural) areas had significantly lower exposure (total mean value; 9.2 mug Pb/g dry bone; n=4) than both genders of the merchant class (p<0.001), and the gender difference was not significant in this class.

The levels of plutonium were studied in the body of inhabitants of the Minsk and Gomel Regions. Their hair was used as the indicator of its levels. The hair concentrations of plutonium correlated with its content in the ribs. The hair levels of lead in the inhabitants of some populated localities of the Gomel Region were found to be higher than those in the residents of unpolluted areas and industrial centers of the Republic of Belarus.

As environmental pollution due to waste fluids and gases from factories using lead (Pb), as well as domestic waste materials, has become a matter for public concern, studies on the accumulated levels of Pb in man have become necessary for defining the degree of contamination in the ordinary population. For this purpose, Pb levels in tissues of 76 forensic cadavers were determined in order to investigate the age distribution of accumulated Pb, and 120 samples were used to clarify secular changes in Pb accumulation during the last decade in the general population. The age group showing the highest Pb level was 50-59 years, with mean Pb contents per unit wet weight of 0.262, 0.520, 0.427 and 4.479 micrograms/g for heart, liver, kidney and rib, respectively. Each of these organs in all age groups exhibited almost the same Pb levels, but babies less than one year old had levels close to those in adults. However, ribs in babies exhibited much lower Pb levels. The levels in each organ were lower in individuals over 60 years old. A distinct age-related increase in Pb levels was found only in ribs from age 0 year to 50-59 years. The Pb levels in the heart, liver, kidney and rib showed a decrease during the last 10 years from 0.188 +/- 0.073 to 0.006 +/- 0.003 micrograms/g, from 0.307 +/- 0.169 to 0.076 +/- 0.057 micrograms/g, from 0.287 +/- 0.145 to 0.021 +/- 0.011 micrograms/g and from 3.203 +/- 1.477 to 2.366 +/- 1.469 micrograms/g, respectively.

Results of longitudinal studies that involved the measurement of lead by different methodologies are presented for two groups of patients with chronic renal disease. Methodologies for all patients included x-ray fluorescence measurements of finger-bone lead. These measurements were conducted 5 y apart for one group of patients (n = 15). Initial measurements for the other group (n = 15) were supplemented by bone lead levels obtained either from skull at craniotomy or from skull, and sometimes rib, at autopsy. Most subjects also underwent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (specifically CaNa2 EDTA) lead-mobilization testing. A correlation between rate of decrease in finger-bone lead and immunoreactive parathormone levels was suggested. Renal patients were compared with age-matched controls, and their bone half-lives did not differ. The data are discussed and related to other results obtained from clinical and nonclinical populations in which trabecular and cortical bones were studied, and our results were consistent with evidence that more rapid turnover of lead occurs in trabecular bone than in cortical bone. No support was found for the hypothesis that patients who undergo renal dialysis accumulate lead in bone.

During the past few centuries, lead production, consumption and emissions, to our total environment have increased remarkably. We have determined the concentrations of lead in 41 well-preserved ancient and 11 contemporary rib bones of a mature age (40-60 y), with a view of historically evaluating lead exposure in humans. The oldest Japanese bones (1000-300 B.C.) were found to contain a mean of 0.58 microgram Pb/g dry wt and a mean molar ratio of lead to calcium of 0.6 x 10(-6), compared with 4.7-5.2 x 10(-6) in the bones of the Edo era (1600-1867 A.D.) and contemporary residents in Japan. The mean molar ratios of female bones were always higher than those of male bones for each era. From this fact we may assume that facial cosmetics were one of the main routes of lead exposure among the ancient Japanese, especially those who lived during the Edo era.