Technical Note

Forensic or Archaeological Issue: Is Chemical Analysis of Dental Restorations Helpful in Assessing Time Since Death and Identification of Skeletonized Human Remains?^†

Ksenija Zelic D.M.D.

Laboratory for Anthropology, Institute of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 4/2 Dr Subotica, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Danijela Djonic Ph.D.,

Danijela Djonic Ph.D.

Laboratory for Anthropology, Institute of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 4/2 Dr Subotica, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Olivera Neskovic Ph.D.,

Olivera Neskovic Ph.D.

Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinca, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Milovan Stoiljkovic Ph.D.,

Milovan Stoiljkovic Ph.D.

Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinca, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Slobodan Nikolic Ph.D.,

Slobodan Nikolic Ph.D.

Institute of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 31a Deligradska, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Vladimir Zivkovic Ph.D.,

Vladimir Zivkovic Ph.D.

Institute of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 31a Deligradska, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Marija Djuric Ph.D.,

Corresponding Author

Marija Djuric Ph.D.

Laboratory for Anthropology, Institute of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 4/2 Dr Subotica, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Additional information and reprint requests:

Marija Djuric, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor

Laboratory for Anthropology, Institute of Anatomy

School of Medicine, University of Belgrade

4/2 Dr Subotica

11000 Belgrade

Serbia

E-mail: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

Ksenija Zelic D.M.D.,

Ksenija Zelic D.M.D.

Laboratory for Anthropology, Institute of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 4/2 Dr Subotica, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Danijela Djonic Ph.D.,

Danijela Djonic Ph.D.

Laboratory for Anthropology, Institute of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 4/2 Dr Subotica, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Olivera Neskovic Ph.D.,

Olivera Neskovic Ph.D.

Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinca, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Milovan Stoiljkovic Ph.D.,

Milovan Stoiljkovic Ph.D.

Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinca, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Slobodan Nikolic Ph.D.,

Slobodan Nikolic Ph.D.

Institute of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 31a Deligradska, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Vladimir Zivkovic Ph.D.,

Vladimir Zivkovic Ph.D.

Institute of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 31a Deligradska, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Search for more papers by this author

Marija Djuric Ph.D.,

Corresponding Author

Marija Djuric Ph.D.

Laboratory for Anthropology, Institute of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 4/2 Dr Subotica, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Additional information and reprint requests:

Marija Djuric, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor

Laboratory for Anthropology, Institute of Anatomy

School of Medicine, University of Belgrade

4/2 Dr Subotica

11000 Belgrade

Serbia

E-mail: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 18 July 2013

https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12228

Citations: 6

^†

Supported by The Ministry of Education and Science of The Republic of Serbia, Grant No. 45005.

Share a link

Email
Wechat
Bluesky

Abstract

In 2011, small mass grave with completely skeletonized remains was discovered in Belgrade suburb. An eyewitness claimed that skeletons belonged to German soldiers killed in WWII. Anthropologists were engaged to investigate whether the skeletal remains correspond to the indicated German group or represent more recent case requiring court trial. Numerous dental restorations were noticed. Owing to the fact that different dental materials were used in dental practice at certain times, the aim of this study was to explore whether analysis of dental restorations could help in identification and estimation of time since death. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry revealed that dental fillings corresponded to copper amalgam, conventional silver amalgam, silicophosphate cement, and zinc phosphate cement. Chemical results combined with anthropological and historical facts suggest that the individuals lived before the 1960s in country with well-developed dental service at that time. Therefore, chemical analysis of dental fillings was useful to distinguish between skeletal remains that are too old to be of forensic interest and the remains relevant to legal investigations.

References

1Mann R, Bass W, Meadows L. Time since death and decomposition of the human body: variables and observations in case and experimental field studies. J Forensic Sci 1990; 35(1): 103–11.
10.1520/JFS12806J
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
2Knight B. Legal aspects of medical practice, 4th edn. Edinburgh, U.K.: Churchill Livingstone, 1987.
Google Scholar
3Djuric M, Starovic A. Serbia. In: N Marquez-Grant, L Fibiger, editors. The Routledge handbook of archeological human remains and legislation. London, U.K.: Routledge, 2011.
Google Scholar
4 J Buikstra, D Uberlaker, editors. Standards for data collection from human skeletal remains. Fayetteville, AR: Arkansas Archaeological Survey, 1994.
Google Scholar
5Ferembach D, Schwidetzky L, Stloukal M. Recommendation for age and sex diagnoses of skeletons. J Hum Evol 1980; 5: 517–49.
Google Scholar
6Brooks S, Suchey J. Skeletal age determination based on the os pubis: a comparison of the Asca′di-Nemeske′ri and Suchey–Brooks methods. J Hum Evol 1990; 5: 227–38.
10.1007/BF02437238
Google Scholar
7Trotter M, Gleser G. A re-evaluation of estimation of stature based on measurements of stature taken during life and long-bones after death. Am J Phys Anthropol 1958; 16: 79–123.
10.1002/ajpa.1330160106
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
8http://www.harvard-dental-international.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/Gebrauchsanweisungen/englisch/User_s_Instructions_Harvard_Cement_normal_setting-V06.pdf (accessed September 5, 2012).
Google Scholar
9Griffith J, Ware A. An evaluation of dental cements. Aust Dent J 1960; 5(5): 285–91.
10.1111/j.1834-7819.1960.tb02600.x
Google Scholar
10Matthews E. Silicate cements. Proc R Soc Med 1935; 28(6): 742–52.
CAS PubMed Google Scholar
11Bjorklund G. Bruk av tannrestaureringsmaterialer i et historisk perspektiv. Bruk av tannrestaureringsmaterialer i Norge. Oslo, Norway: Statens Helsetilsyn, 1998; 28.
Google Scholar
12Gavrilovic V, Zagradjanin D. Istorija stomatoloske sekcije Srpskog lekarskog drustva. Belgrade, Serbia: Decje novine, 1984.
Google Scholar
13Schulein TM. Significant events in the history of operative dentistry. J Hist Dent 2005; 53(2): 63–72.
PubMed Google Scholar
14Greneer EH. Amalgam – yesterday, today and tomorrow. Oper Dent 1979; 4(1): 24–35.
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
15Ivanovoc V. Dentalni amalgami. In: D Stamenković, editor. Stomatoloski materijali. Belgrade, Serbia: Univerzitet u Beogradu, 2009.
Google Scholar
16Karadzov O, Kezele D, Kuburovic D. Materijali za zubne ispune. Belgrade, Serbia: Univerzitet u Beogradu, 1997.
Web of Science® Google Scholar
17Wilson A, Paddon J, Crisp S. The hydration of dental cements. J Dent Res 1979; 58(3): 1065–71.
10.1177/00220345790580030701
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
18Riaud X. Medical ethics under a totalitarian regime: German dentists and the Third Reich. Dent Hist 2007; 45: 76–86.
Google Scholar

Citing Literature

Volume58, Issue5

September 2013

Pages 1284-1288

Forensic or Archaeological Issue: Is Chemical Analysis of Dental Restorations Helpful in Assessing Time Since Death and Identification of Skeletonized Human Remains?^†

Abstract

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

About Wiley Online Library

Help & Support

Opportunities

Connect with Wiley

Forensic or Archaeological Issue: Is Chemical Analysis of Dental Restorations Helpful in Assessing Time Since Death and Identification of Skeletonized Human Remains?†

Abstract

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information

Forensic or Archaeological Issue: Is Chemical Analysis of Dental Restorations Helpful in Assessing Time Since Death and Identification of Skeletonized Human Remains?^†