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BackgroundIn 2000 Shari commenced research towards her doctoral degree at the University Of Technology, Sydney which was funded by an APA postgraduate scholarship. The research extended on her previous work conducted into adipocere formation in grave soils. Her doctoral research aimed to investigate the factors which influence the formation of adipocere in a burial environment. These factors included soil type, pH, moisture, temperature, lime, presence of clothing and presence of a coffin. Samples of adipocere and grave soils were collected from human exhumations conducted throughout Australia. Decomposition trials utilizing pigs as human models also allowed the collection of adipocere and soil samples. In order to determine those factors which affect adipocere formation, controlled laboratory experiments were carried out which formed a model adipocere product. Additionally, experiments investigating the formation of adipocere on different animal species were conducted.The study was successful in identifying trace levels (ppm) of adipocere in grave soils and the ability of adipocere to leach into soil. The similarity in chemical composition between human and pig adipocere samples allowed for the use of pig adipose tissue in the model adipocere experiments. The study identified those factors which are conducive to adipocere formation and whether the individual factor accelerated or retarded adipocere formation when compared to a control. The experiments were able to form adipocere on numerous animal species but could not distinguish species type by chemical composition. The results were reported in a thesis entitled 'An Investigation of the Factors Affecting the Formation of Adipocere in Grave Soils'. Several publications in a diverse range of journals resulted from her research. Shari completed her doctoral degree in February 2003. Current and Future ResearchShari is now employed at the Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Western Australia where she is continuing her research into decomposition and adipocere. An important question that has arisen from her research is whether adipocere can be used to determine postmortem interval (PMI) of decomposing remains. Continual research into this area is necessary to determine whether adipocere could feasibly be used to determine time since death. Numerous decomposition environments will be explored and will include many different factors additional to those investigated for her doctoral degree.The extraction of DNA from adipocere is currently being attempted to determine the extent of degradation that occurs during decomposition. The possibility of using DNA degradation as a technique for determining PMI will be concurrently investigated. Additionally, species identification using DNA extracted from adipocere will be explored and will hopefully overcome the limitations of chemical composition identified in Shari's previous research. Shari's research will continue to focus on PMI determination. She aims to explore additional techniques and disciplines in which alternative methods for determining PMI may be identified. Her experience in the discipline of forensic chemistry will be extended to incorporate the fields of forensic entomology and forensic anthropology. She will investigate the entomology associated with various decomposition environments and the feasibility of using nitrogen isotope concentration in fly larvae to determine time since death. Radioactive isotope analysis of bone will be explored to date anthropological remains of forensic importance. Shari will continue to collaborate with UTS on honours projects and decomposition research with Dr Barbara Stuart and Dr Boyd Dent. PublicationsRefereed Journal ArticlesForbes SL, Dent BB, and Stuart BH, 2003, The effect of soil type on the formation of adipocere in grave soil, Forensic Science International, Submitted. Conference Papers Forbes SL, 2002, An Investigation of the Formation of Adipocere in Grave Soils, 16th International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences, Canberra, 12–17 May, Forensic Sciences - Outcomes for Society Handbook, 162-163. Linkshttp://www.forensicscience.uwa.edu.auhttp://www.forensics.com.au http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/ento/forensic.htm |
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Last Modified: 14 November 2005 4:23 PM
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