Ancient DNA Techniques Shed Light on Identification of Burned Human Remains

Exploring Innovations in Forensic Anthropology

Recent research from Binghamton University reveals a groundbreaking application of ancient DNA extraction techniques in forensic anthropology. Originally designed for studying woolly mammoths and Neanderthals, these methods can now potentially identify badly burned human remains. Published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences¹, the study explores the systematic degradation of DNA across various temperature ranges, crucial for effective identification processes.

Understanding DNA Degradation

Lead author Matthew Emery and his team investigated two DNA extraction techniques on bone samples from 27 fire victims. These victims, involved in incidents like house fires and airplane crashes, presented a challenging scenario for identification. By adapting methods from ancient DNA research and forensic science, researchers successfully obtained usable DNA data even from heavily burned bones.

Matthew V. Emery, Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Anthropology at Binghamton University, State University of New York, has used a technique to extract ancient DNA to help identify badly burned bodies. Credit: Binghamton University, State University of New York

Assessing Fire Temperature through Bone Discoloration

The study also introduces a method to estimate fire temperatures based on bone discoloration patterns, aiding forensic scientists in selecting suitable bones for DNA extraction. Long bones are found to be the most reliable reservoirs due to their thickness and hard exterior. These findings provide a valuable framework for forensic anthropologists and scientists working in challenging field conditions, offering a standardized approach for identifying human remains in forensic investigations.

Real-World Applications and Ongoing Research

Emery's ongoing project with Maricopa County burn remains underscores the real-world impact of this research, aiming to bring closure to cold-case victims. By leveraging techniques developed for ancient DNA extraction, forensic scientists are now equipped with powerful tools to unravel the mysteries surrounding burned human remains and bring justice to those who have long remained unidentified.

1. Emery, M. V., Bolhofner, K., Spake, L., Ghafoor, S., Versoza, C. J., Rawls, E. M., Winingear, S., Buikstra, J. E., Loreille, O., Fulginiti, L. C., & Stone, A. C. (2024). Targeted enrichment of whole‐genome SNPs from highly burned skeletal remains. Journal of Forensic Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15482