Forensic Science International 245 (2014) e18–e24
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Forensic Science International
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/forsciint
Case Report
Where do those remains come from?
Dominika Nociarová a,b, M. Jose Adserias c, Assumpció Malgosa b,a, Ignasi Galtés d,e,*
a
Unitat d’Antropologia Biològica, Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra,
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
b
Visualforensic, Parc Audiovisual de Catalunya, Ctra. BV-1274, km 1, Edificio A, 1 planta, 08225 Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
c
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Area Ciencias Forenses, Avda. Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
d
Servei de Patologia Forense, Unitat d’Antropologia Forense, Institut de Medicina Legal de Catalunya, Ciutat de la Justı´cia, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 111,
Edifici G, 08075 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
e
Unitat de Medicina Legal i Forense, Departament de Psiquiatria i de Medicina Legal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona,
Catalonia, Spain
A R T I C L E I N F O
A B S T R A C T
Article history:
Received 27 July 2013
Received in revised form 4 July 2014
Accepted 5 October 2014
Available online 14 October 2014
Part of the study of skeletal remains or corpses in advance decay located in the field involves determining
their origin. They may be the result of criminal activity, accident, unearthed because of erosion, or they
may also have originated from a cemetery. The discovery site, condition of the remains, and the
associated artifacts, are factors that could be helpful for the forensic anthropologist to identify the origin
of the remains.
In order to contribute to this recognition, an analysis was made of the exhumations of 168 unclaimed
human remains from the cemetery of Terrassa (Catalonia, Spain). This investigation presents a
description of artifacts and conditions of remains that could indicate that the human remains may have
originated from a cemetery.
ß 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords:
Forensic anthropology
Taphonomy
Cemetery context
Cemetery remains
Funeral artifacts
1. Introduction
The discovery of human skeletal remains and corpses in advance
decay in the field, raises many questions that need to be answered.
One of these questions refers to the origin of the remains.
Occasionally, these may originate from a cemetery. When this type
of remains is found, the anthropologist should be able to recognize
those characteristic signs that could help to identify their origin.
Remains from a cemetery context can be skeletons and corpses
previously legally buried in a cemetery but later removed from their
tombs or ossuaries without authorization, as a result of, for example,
acts of vandalism [1–5]. When remains are found in or near old
cemeteries, it is suggested that they are not of forensic interest.
Occasionally, opposite situations can occur, resulting in illegal
burials. For instance, homicide victims can be dumped at a
cemetery in an attempt to hide a body. This situation is observed
more frequently in countries where the bodies are buried in the
* Corresponding author at: Servei de Patologia Forense, Unitat d’Antropologia
Forense, Institut de Medicina Legal de Catalunya, Ciutat de la Justı́cia, Gran Via de les
Corts Catalanes 111, Edifici G, 08075 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Tel.: +34 935754224.
E-mail address: ignasigaltes@gmail.com (I. Galtés).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.10.006
0379-0738/ß 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
ground [6–8]. Therefore, in cases where a tomb is damaged or the
number of bodies does not correspond to the known records,
the forensic anthropologist has to be able to identify each of the
exhumed corpses and make a conclusion about a possible criminal
activity. However, the discrepancy in the number of exhumed
bodies is not always the result of a crime. Renovation or closure of
cemeteries may result in misplacement of human remains. Early
recognition of features associated with cemetery remains and
collection of related evidence can reduce the time and effort spent
on investigations [1]. In this sense, forensic anthropologists should
be present during the exhumation process in cemeteries in order to
prevent misidentification of exhumed bodies [9].
There are some studies relating to the recognition of remains
pertaining to a cemetery context [1,7,10] that offer some guidelines for recognition of cemetery remains. It is of great importance
not to forget that funeral customs differ between countries. In
some countries it is common to bury human remains in the ground,
while in other coffins are placed in special vertical cement
constructions called niches (e.g. Spain). In addition, in some areas it
is customary to embalm the body before it is buried, while in other
places embalming is not a routine procedure [11]. This fact is
important due to different environmental conditions that lead to
different decomposition processes [12].
D. Nociarová et al. / Forensic Science International 245 (2014) e18–e24
Knowledge of decay characteristics in different environments is
very important to understand the origin of remains. However, this
kind of information in some specific locations is not always
available. One of the current problems that European anthropology
and taphonomy has to face is the absence of experimental models
or observational studies in this area, which leads to a lack of data
that could help to answer the questions of high interest in forensic
anthropology. The investigation of human remains decay from a
cemetery may offer good training for specialists in forensic science
and it can also provide a large amount of information pertaining to
human body experimentation.
In addition, forensic anthropologists need to have proper
knowledge about funeral customs and thanatopraxy of the local
society, including preparation of the body for burial, artifacts
accompanying the body, and accouterments associated with the
grave, to be able to identify cemetery remains.
Finally, the study present here can be important to differentiate
recent cemetery remains from those of historical significance [13],
since, as Eliopoulos et al. noted in his article, the remains of historical
significance sometimes may be unearthed because of erosion or
during a construction project [10]. As a consequence, the
characteristics and conditions of human remains from cemeteries
need to be known in order to correctly address the investigation.
Projects like the one presented here, help to reconstruct and identify
the history of archaeological remains, helping to understand how
the human remains from an historical context were decomposed.
The aim of this study was to identify and describe the artifacts
that may indicate a cemetery origin, studying the unclaimed human
remains of exhumations performed in a cemetery from Catalonia,
Spain. No observational studies of this type have been conducted in
Spain, thus the study presented in here is pioneer in this field.
2. Materials and methods
From March 2012 to May 2013, an investigation was carried out
on unclaimed human remains from a cemetery context. The study
reports the results of 168 exhumed corpses from the cemetery of
Terrassa (Catalonia, Spain). The access to the unclaimed human
remains was facilitated by cemetery authorities to the Universitat
Autònoma de Barcelona for the observational study. An official
agreement of collaboration with cemetery authorities and a health
license had been approved.
In this study, remains from different evicted niches within the
same cemetery have been analyzed. Decomposition data and artifacts
were collected from corpses, clothes, coffins and niches. In all cases,
decomposition of human bodies took place in wooden or conglomerate coffins, which simulate an empty space [14]. The evaluation of
corpse conservation was performed by categorizing it into one of six
different stages: total skeletonization (>80%), skeletonization with
wet putrid matter, skeletonization with dry putrid matter, mummification/desiccation, saponification, and corification. Skeletonization
with dry putrid matter, as well as mummification, can be defined as
dry types of conservation because of the absence of body fluids.
Whereas, skeletonization with wet putrid matter or saponification
can be defined as wet type of conservation due to the presence of
body fluids. The type of conservation may facilitate the incidence and
observation of cemetery artifacts. In this study, artifacts refer to any
object made by human beings, or which results from anthropogenic
treatment of corpses.
Throughout this observational study, four types of artifacts
were observed. We distinguish these four types of artifacts by their
origin, which can be from: Autopsy practice (autopsy of cranial
vault and thorax); Thanatopraxy (sewing of upper and lower jaw
together, cotton packing, etc.); Funeral practice (coffin wear, fungal
growth or others related to the place and manner of the
interment); and finally, forgotten or personal objects.
e19
Photo-documentation was performed throughout the whole
research. At the end of the field study, the remains were deposited
into ossuaries of the cemetery.
3. Results
The anthropological intervention was carried out between 2012
and 2013 in the cemetery of Terrassa (Catalonia, Spain), with 168
unclaimed corpses exhumed. The observed funeral structures
included multiple niches (41) and individual niches (56). The
majority of the corpses were adult individuals (164) and just 4
were juveniles. The period of all analyzed interments was between
1937 and 2009.
The decedents were dressed up, some in vestments (105),
others shrouded in white burial sheets (36), while in 27 cases it
was not possible to observe the type of clothing.
Dry conservation of corpses predominated in the cemetery of
Terrassa (114 cases). Skeletonization with dry putrid matter (81)
was the most frequently observed decay stage, followed by
mummification (29) (totally or partially mummified corpses). Few
cases of skeletonization with partial desiccation (2), and skeletonization with dry putrid matter in combination with partial
desiccation (2) were observed. Thirty-one cases of total skeletonization were analyzed. The wet conservation was less observed. In
few cases, skeletonization with wet putrid matter was presented
(24). Saponification was observed only in specific areas of the
corpses (small pieces in abdominal area, and between distal parts
of legs). No case of whole body saponification was observed.
Corification was not observed during this study either.
Table 1 shows the different kind of artifacts found in the 168
individuals observed in Terrassa cemetery.
The artifacts can be divided into 4 types according to treatment/
practice performed previously:
1. Autopsy practice/treatment that involves forensic or clinical
autopsy (Fig. 1).
Table 1
Observed artifacts throughout exhumations in cemetery of Terrassa (Catalonia,
Spain), and their indication of cemetery origin (1–2).
Type of artifacts
Number of
cases
observed in
cemetery of
Terrassa
Indication
of cemetery
origin
Autopsy practice
Embalming
Aspiration trocar button
Sewing of upper and lower jaw
Cotton packing buccal
nostril
buccal + nostril
Eye cup
Cloths posterior cut
Diapers presence
Waxes rest
Decomposition accelerant product
Coffins wear
Fungal growth within the face or hands
Sawdust from coffin adhering to body
Unpigmented fauna
Hair circular lost in the posterior part
of skull
Forgotten objects and associated with
funerary, autopsy practice or
thanatopraxy
11
0
1
9
44
40
37
2
64
37
0
2
23
12
7
4
20
1
2
4
Indication of cemetery origin: highly indicative of cemetery context (1); suggestive
of cemetery context (2).
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D. Nociarová et al. / Forensic Science International 245 (2014) e18–e24
Fig. 1. Skull autopsy.
2. Thanatopraxy: sewing of upper and lower jaw together (Fig. 2);
cotton packing (Fig. 2); embalming of the body, aspiration trocar
button (Fig. 3); eye cup (Fig. 4); posterior cut of cloths; remains
of cosmetic wax, presence of diapers (Fig. 5), and presence of
decomposition acceleration products (an enzyme and microorganisms pack).
3. Funeral practice: coffin wear, fungal growth (Fig. 6), sawdust
from coffin adhering to body (Fig. 7); unpigmented fauna
(Fig. 8), and circular hair lost in the posterior part of skull (Fig. 9).
4. Forgotten objects and those associated with funeral customs,
autopsy practice or thanatopraxy (Fig. 10).
The most frequent artifact observed was the cotton packing
(50%), followed by posterior cut of cloths (38%) and presence of
diapers (23%). The coffin wear trait was also frequent (14%). As we
mentioned above, the state of conservation conditioned the
presence and observation of cemetery artifacts.
Based on the results of this study, and taking into account their
origin and frequency, the artifacts found near and/or on the corpses
Fig. 2. Waxed thread rest in upper jaw and cotton packing of mouth and nostrils are
observed.
Fig. 3. Presence of trocar button in the anterior part of abdomen.
can be classified into two groups: those highly indicative, and
those just suggestive of the cemetery origin of remains. Observations related to medical/forensic or thanatopraxy have been
considered as highly indicative of a cemetery context, whereas
artifacts of mortuary esthetics, funeral practice, and environmental
conditions suggesed a cemetery origin (Table 1).
4. Discussion
Artifacts found near and/or on human remains are closely
related to the type of conservation and funeral practice. This study
aimed to recognize and evaluate cemetery artifacts that can be
used to indicate the origin of the remains. The presence and
observation of artifacts is significantly conditioned by the
preservation and treatment of the corpse before burial, which
differs a lot between countries.
In Spain the customary treatment of the body, once death has
been ascertained, includes cleaning, clothing, and placing in a
coffin. Typically, the lower and upper jaws are tied together so they
are not affected by the development of rigor mortis [15].
Embalming of deceased is not performed regularly in Spanish
funeral practice, with the exception of the cases when the corpse
must be transported to or from another country. In some cases
partial treatment of body takes place, and the aspiration of visceral
cavities is needed. After the funeral service, the coffin is taken to
the cemetery where it is lifted into the niches.
Fig. 4. Presence of plastic eye cups.
D. Nociarová et al. / Forensic Science International 245 (2014) e18–e24
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Fig. 5. Diaper presence.
Fig. 7. Sawdust from coffin adhering to skull.
Exhumations occur as a consequence of lack of space in
cemeteries. In order to store the bags containing exhumed
remains, special buildings within the cemeteries are built, known
as ossuaries. According to the Spanish mortuary health laws, the
transfer of unclaimed human remains to ossuaries can be carried
out only 5 years after the inhumation [16].
The condition of cemetery remains can vary considerably
depending on physical, chemical, and biological factors [7]. In the
cemetery of Terrassa the overall condition of exhumed unclaimed
remains was very good. Generally, predominance of dry body
conservation over the wet conservation has been observed. In
contrast, the investigation of Ferreira et al. describes predomination of wet condition of exhumed corpses in a Portuguese cemetery
[9]. This fact may be related to different environmental conditions
and different type of funeral customs (e.g. inhumations in the
ground carried out in Portugal).
During our study, four principal types of treatment and related
artifacts have been observed. The first one was the results of
forensic or clinical autopsy practice. After this process, marks on
the human body are observed resulting from different procedures
performed during autopsy. During autopsy the cranial cavities are
opened. An oscillating saw is used for opening the cranium to
enable the examination of the brain [17,18]. The placing of
absorbent fabric material (cotton or absorbent paper) within the
cranial cavity after the procedure is used to prevent slippage of the
skullcap from the cranial base during suturing of the head, and
reducing the possibility of fluid leakage during the funeral
ceremony. Throughout the autopsy, the thorax and abdominal
cavity are also opened. The ribs, sternum and clavicles are
sectioned by rib shears for the removal of the breastplate to
enable the inspection of the thoracic viscera. In addition, incisions
in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, and on the ventral surface of
the ribs, in order that the internal organs along the thoracic wall
can be observed [19]. Anthropologists should be aware of the
location and nature of these cuts, so they are not confused with
those produced in cases of intentional dismemberment or other
types of sharp force trauma [10]. The presence of cut marks in the
bone or mummified skin from autopsy practice is indicative that
the body has a cemetery origin. In our study, 11 cases of autopsy
practice have been observed. It was possible to observe both cut
marks on the skin and cut marks and/or incisions section on the
bone. No absorbent material within the cranial cavity was found.
This absence could be related to the characteristics of the used
absorbent fabric material, which breaks down earlier than the rest
of tissues.
The second type of artifact highly indicative of cemetery
remains is that related to thanatopraxy treatment, which results in
a large number of traits (artifacts). The most notable are those
related to embalming process, which has been noted as a key factor
in the identification of cemetery remains. Researchers from the
Fig. 6. Fungal growth observed on deceased face.
Fig. 8. Presence of live unpigmented fauna.
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D. Nociarová et al. / Forensic Science International 245 (2014) e18–e24
Fig. 9. Circular hair lost in the posterior part of skull.
United States, where embalming frequently occurs, have described
a number of attributes encountered in embalmed tissues [1].
According to the funeral industry, embalming involves the
injection of chemicals into the vascular system and visceral
cavities for disinfection and preservation of a body [1,20]. In Spain,
however, embalming is not common, and during our investigation
was not observed in any case. Throughout our study, presence of
nails, head, facial and body hair was mainly found as a result of
natural body conservation. Similarly, dehydrated brain tissue and
mummified bodies were found, but the bodies had not been
embalmed. Other mummified organs observed during our study
were eyes, lungs, heart, diaphragm, entrails and stomach. It may be
the result of the warm climate in Catalonia (Spain) and local
environmental conditions of the cemetery in Terrassa, as well as
the position of the niche within the block of niches and the location
of the block of niches in the cemetery.
Partial treatment of the decedent sometimes was performed. In
those cases, presence of a trocar button in the anterior part of
abdomen was found. A plastic trocar button is used to seal the hole
left by the trocar during the aspiration of blood, other body fluids
and gases from both the abdominal and thoracic cavity, and
injection of fluid in order to disinfect and preserve the remains. The
plastic trocar button is screwed into the skin, and may resist for
years, helping to define the origin of the remains [1]. We observed
Fig. 10. Presence of catheter left in the deceased body.
one case of trocar button presence during exhumations in the
cemetery of Terrassa. The screwed plastic trocar button was placed
in the antero-superior part of individual’s mummified abdomen.
Sewing of upper and lower jaw together is another indicative
trait of thanatopraxy. Different types of this procedure are known.
A few years ago, injector needles with steel pins were used widely.
Injector needles are stainless steel pins with attached wire. One is
inserted in each gum line and its function is to keep the mouth
closed. Small screws have also been used for this purpose [1]. In the
cemetery of Terrassa, this type of sewing was used years ago but
we did not find it during exhumations. A simple sewing was used
more often. This procedure is easier, cheaper, and more discreet
and preserves very well for years. It was possible to observe the
rest of thread adhering to the upper or lower jaw in 9 cases.
Cotton packing was the most common artifact observed in the
cemetery of Terrassa, frequently put in the mouth and nostrils to
prevent from leakage of fluids. Moreover, this method facilitates
the shaping of the lips. Some time ago, a mouth former was used
for this function. It is a contoured perforated plastic object to fit the
teeth, with a smooth inner surface and spiny outer surface [1]. A
mouth former, compared to cotton packing, is not universal. This
was not observed during these exhumations but, conversely, we
could observe the presence of cotton packing. Nostril cotton
packing (40 cases) was sometimes observed, due to inferior jaw
disarticulation, losing the cotton in the oral cavity. In those cases,
buccal cotton could be observed out of its position. In cases when
buccal cotton was preserved in situ (44 cases), it could occupy all
oral cavity and the superior part of trachea. The presence in situ of
both, buccal and nostril cotton, was observed in 37 cases.
Other artifacts were observed such as, eye cups. Eye cups are
thin, plastic, and transparent disks used to shape the eye and keep
the eyelid closed. The disk is molded to produce a smooth, concave
surface for direct placement over the ocular globe. The convex
surface is spiny to facilitate gripping of the inner surface of the
eyelid [1]. A cotton bead can be placed under the eye cup. Eye cups
with cotton beads were observed in just 2 cases during this study.
To facilitate dressing of decedent during thanatopraxy, the
clothes are often cut in its posterior part [1]. Such a posterior
longitudinal cut was clearly observed during our examinations. It
was observed in 64 cases, when the decedent was clothed in
vestment and not in a white funeral sheet. Due to advanced
disintegration of cloth tissue, it was not possible to observe either
the type of cloth or the posterior longitudinal cut in many cases.
Another characteristic of thanatopraxy or clinical practice is the
presence of diapers. Their function is to reduce the possibility of
fluid leakage during the funeral ceremony. Diapers resist
decomposition and they are frequently observed in remains from
cemeteries. There are no other studies that describe this type of
artifact. During our observational study, numerous (37) cases of
diapers presence could be observed. In some cases it was not
possible to identify whether the decedent wore the diapers due to
post mortem rake out of the remains.
In cases of disfiguring trauma, wax is commonly used for
cosmetic restoration of the face, and is resistant to decomposition
[1]. Up to this time, any trace of cosmetic restoration or remains of
cosmetic wax has not been observed. We found only one known
case of trauma, but the cosmetic wax remains were not preserved.
The way in which the decedents were wrapped indicates that they
were probably not exposed during the funeral ceremony.
In some cases, an enzyme and microorganisms pack (HYGECO,
BIOACTRYN1SACOPACK) is deposited into coffin. This biological
powder product is a decomposition accelerant that promotes
liquefaction and digestion of fats, proteins, starch, and cellulose.
Usually, the product is placed into the coffin between thighs, near
to pelvis. The powder is packed in a plastic bag, so the perforation is
required for the activation of the product by water or body fluids.
D. Nociarová et al. / Forensic Science International 245 (2014) e18–e24
When this does not occur, content of the bag changes from a
powder to gel structure. The product does not fulfil its function and
may be found later during exhumation process, being indicative of
cemetery origin. In this study, two inactive products could be
observed. It is known that the application of those products started
in 2004 in Terrassa, but there was not a list of cases where this
product was used in the inhumation, so the evaluation of its
efficiency is not possible. Studies on exhumations performed in
North America [1,7,10] did not mention the use of similar products.
The third type of treatment of the dead body is funeral practice.
Coffin wear, fungal growth, sawdust from coffin adhering to
remains, unpigmented fauna, and circular hair lost in the posterior
part of skull, could be included in this category. This group of traits
may be a guide to the origin of remains but they are not indicative,
at least in the first two groups.
In the study of Eliopoulos et al. [10] the most notable factor was
the so-called coffin wear, which has been described in other
studies, too [1,21]. Coffin wear refers to the erosion of the bone of
pressure points in the supine skeleton, often observed on the
occipital bone, scapular spines, humeral heads, spinous processes
of the vertebrae, sacrum, innominates, and femora. Moisture or
water may be retained in the coffin and accelerate the decay of
submerged portions of the body. This decay/erosion may be slight
and only affect the superficial layers of the cortical bone, or in some
cases, it may extend to the underlying trabecular bone. Differential
erosion of bone in contact with the bottom of the coffin may come
from electrochemical action of the bone under local effects of
temperature and moisture [1,10]. In our study, some cases (23) of
this kind of wear were observed, but so far they have not been
significant. This could be due to dry conservation in the cemetery
of Terrassa, and therefore less moisture or water presence in
niches.
Whitish fungal growth over the face and hands was found in 12
cases. Its presence is associated with cosmetic makeup used during
the preparation of the body for viewing. Mold or other fungal
spores may already be present in the makeup, which provides a
medium conductive for growth. The presence of mold on the face
and hands is consistent with cemetery remains [1,22]. Moreover, in
some cases (2) the presence of fungal growth may be observed over
the whole body, which we associated with higher humidity in the
niche.
Sawdust from coffin adhering to body could occasionally be
seen. Eliopoulos et al. [10] have described that in Greece all coffins
had a layer of sawdust in the bottom to absorb decomposition
fluids. Thus, in these cases, it is not uncommon to find sawdust
adhering to the posterior surface of the bones. In Terrassa, this is
not a common practice. The presence of sawdust adhering to bones
was observed in those cases when the pillow filled with sawdust
was deposited under the head of the decedent (7 cases). The
sawdust was released and adhered to the bones due to tearing of
the pillow.
We also found unpigmented fauna (spiders, moths, mealy bugs)
in four coffins. Due to the lack of similar studies, there is no more
information about the presence of this kind of fauna. All the studies
mentioned above [6,7,9,10] were performed in the burials in the
ground. In Spain, the burial takes place in cement vertical
structures—niches that are not underground. They are not
hermetic for insects, as are the burials in the ground, where the
absence of oxygen makes the presence of insects sporadic and rare
[9]. Unpigmented fauna in coffins is good indicator of the absence
of sunlight and their presence is a trait to suggest that the body
may have a cemetery origin.
Another artifact that can be suggestive of a cemetery origin of
the remains is the circular hair loss in the posterior part of skull.
This is observed due to the hair being pasted to the pillow. When
the skull is removed, this type of defect may be observed. It is
e23
important not to confuse this artifact with the loss of natural hair in
this part, or some type of alopecia areata. In the cases where we
could observe this circular hair lost (20 cases), it was possible to the
paste of lost hair in the pillow.
The last types of artifacts are the forgotten objects and items
associated with the funeral, autopsy practice, or thanatopraxy (4
cases). The most common artifacts are objects placed in the niche
as part of the burial process, and include parts of plaques, statues,
flowers, photos, jars, toys, etc. Sometimes, the presence of surgical
gloves, injections, injector needle, and probes used for body
preparation and/or during clinical care are observed.
Not always all the types of artifacts were observed. Sometimes
combination of artifacts, or just some of them were found. We
must take into account that not all kinds of artifacts have the same
value in the determination of a cemetery origin. Berryman et al. [1]
describe three types of artifacts as predictors of cemetery origin:
the physical characteristics of the remains, coffin/caskets or
embalming artifacts recovered in association with the remains,
and the presence of embalming tissue. They distinguish between
those indicative, and those consistent with, cemetery burial. Our
results are in agreement with the Berryman et al. classification, but
we introduce other variables to be taken into account. We classify
artifacts into four types, and place them into two groups by their
weight/value in relation to their origin. Artifacts from autopsy
practice, thanatopraxy are considered highly indicative of cemetery origin (Table 1). The artifacts of funerary practice and
forgotten objects associated with autopsy, funeral treatment,
and thanatopraxy are concluded to be suggestive of a cemetery
origin, but they may not exclude human remains of forensic
interest (Table 1). However, to identify the correct origin of the
remains, a combination of these artifacts is needed.
In summary, the conditions of corpses exhumed in the cemetery of
Terrassa and the artifacts indicating a cemetery origin were described
in the present paper to help to differentiate them from those of
remains of unknown origin. The current study was prompted by
similar works based on observations carried out in Greece and United
States, where burial customs are very different. The burial customs of
Catalonian cemeteries are more similar to those from Greece, where
embalming is not widely practiced, but differs in the type of burial.
Embalming artifacts are rarely found, because this treatment is not
widespread in Catalonia, while it is commonly practiced in the United
States. Even so, dry conservation and good preservation of unclaimed
human remains was observed. In our study, we found artifacts highly
indicative and suggestive of cemetery context. Forensic anthropologists must be familiar with all of them in order to be able to
recognize remains that could pertain to a cemetery context.
Appendix A. Supplementary data
Supplementary data associated with this article can be found, in the
online version, at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.10.006.
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