| Soil factors played an important role in preservation of skeletal remains at the Voegtly Cemetery. While soil pH was found to have a direct relationship with increased bone degradation (R2 = 0.2064) it is believed the true causative agent, responsible for the acidic pH and vast degree of skeletal preservation were soil microorganisms. The remains from the Voegtly Cemetery were ideal for the current research because many factors contributing to skeletal weathering were controlled. For example, the skeletons were in the ground approximately the same length of time (150 years old), were of the same ethnic group, were exposed to same environmental conditions, and had similar burial methods. Despite these conditions it was noted that many skeletons weathered at different rates with some remains being in excellent condition while others were extremely decomposed. The thorough understanding of how soil contributes to degradation of bone including its component parts (collagen, hydroxyapatite, and DNA) is a worthwhile endeavor. If it is found that soil chemistry has correlations with organic (collagen) and mineral (hydroxyapatite) degradation this may allow forensic scientists to predict the length of time skeletal remains have been buried, which can be used to estimate the approximate time or date of death, providing circumstantial evidence in a criminal investigation. Soils were analyzed for pH, organic matter, exchangeable cations, total elemental concentrations of heavy metals, extractable phosphorous, and soil biomass. |
