Comparison of adipocere formation in four soil types of the Porto (Portugal) district

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Nuno Duraes (Author) Other; Debora Cortez (Author) Other; Manuel Algarra (Author) Other; Francisco G Sanchez (Author) Other; Jose E Rodriguez Borges (Author) FCUP; Iulius Bobos (Author) FCUP; Joaquim C G Esteves da Silva (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Forensic Science International

Vol. 195 No. 1-3

Pages: 168.e1-168.e6

ISSN: 0379-0738

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 15 Citations

Scopus - 17 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Other medical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-92S

DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.11.010

Abstract (EN): Four typical soils of the Porto (Portugal) area were characterized and used to study the decomposition of buried pieces of pork meat under controlled laboratory experiments (an 8 month experiment with a relatively high soilmoisture and a 1 month experiment with relatively low soilmoisture). The soils types were: organic, sandy, gravel and clay-gravel soils. Soils were characterized for their grain size distribution, pH, water content, organicmatter percentage and mineral composition. Four free fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, oleic and stearic) were analysed (using a methodology based on an extraction step followed by a derivatization reaction and high performance liquid chromatography analysis) in soil samples as a sign of adipocere formation. The direct sensorial analysis of the buried sample residues and the free fatty acids profiles of the sampled soils showed that sandy and clay-gravel soils (in a low moisture environment) slowed the normal decomposition process promoting the formation of adipocere. Nevertheless, this apparent soil effect is indirect and a consequence of the different water retention and permeability of the soils. Thus, the water content of the soils is a crucial factor for adipocere formation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6