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

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2010

Autores

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

Revista

Título: Forensic Science International

Vol. 195 Nº 1-3

Páginas: 168.e1-168.e6

ISSN: 0379-0738

Editora: Elsevier

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 15 Citações

Scopus - 17 Citações

Classificação Científica

FOS: Ciências médicas e da saúde > Outras ciências médicas

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: 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.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 6