Macroscopic taphonomic alterations to human bone recovered from marine environments

The present research examines a sample (n=25) of human bone cases that were recovered from the shoreline or ocean waters near Massachusetts, United States, and submitted for analysis to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston. All macroscopic taphonomic changes resulting from the physical and biological effects of extended marine immersion were compiled and compared to taphonomic alterations from other environments. Multiple taphonomic characteristics were prevalent after extended marine immersion, including battering and rounding (96.0% of cases) and bleaching (88.0%), with adherence by marine species of mollusks (8.0%), barnacles (36.0%), and Bryozoans (4.0%), or, in some cases, surface alterations to bone by these adhering taxa. Other common changes included adipocere formation (20.0%); reddish (24.0%) or dark (12.0%) mineral staining; and adhering sand (52.0%), silt (8.0%), or algae and seaweed (36.0%). Bone condition (disregarding bleaching or staining) included still greasy because of leaching fat (32.0%), retaining an organic sheen (44.0%), or a chalky appearance (24.0%). Multiple traits may be used to distinguish a marine environment as the origin of unknown osseous remains from other common forensic sources, including terrestrial surface decomposition and weathering or buried remains.