Analysis of Human Cremains

This chapter provides a detailed overview of the contemporary cremation process that begins with a human body and ends with a small volume of inorganic matter that can fit in a small box or an urn. The various methods that cremation analysts have traditionally used to analyse cremated remains are discussed first. Next, the potential of using chemical methods that help to answer some basic questions about the elemental make-up and basic properties of cremated bones and teeth are explored. The use of chemical methods for elemental analysis is now considered to be a regular step when analysing cremains. In particular, chemical techniques can answer some basic questions about the composition of cremains that cannot be determined from gross and microscopic methods alone. For example, this method can be used to determine whether the disputed cremains comprise bones or a foreign material that was substituted for the cremains. Additionally, chemical methods may provide the only supporting evidence for the identification of cremains by detecting elevated levels of normal minor elements found in bone tissue or the presence of rare trace elements that were acquired during the decedent's life.