Analysis of the corrosive effects of hydrochloric acid (HCl) on human bone: Preliminary microscopic study and observations for forensic purposes

• Published in: Forensic science international Vol. 329; p. 111095
• Main Authors: Gentile, Guendalina, Tambuzzi, Stefano, Andreola, Salvatore, Bailo, Paolo, Bilato, Giorgia, Gorini, Ilaria, Zoja, Riccardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.12.2021; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Animals; Bone and Bones; Bone dissolution; Bone tissue; Bones; Cadaver; Caustics; Caustics - toxicity; Dissolution; Femur; Forensic Medicine; Forensic osteology; Forensic pathology; Forensic science; Forensic sciences; histology; Humans; Hydrochloric acid; Hydrochloric Acid - toxicity; Hydrogen chloride; Immersion; Investigations; Laboratories; Legal medicine; Murders & murder attempts; Regulation D; Spine; Submerging; Vertebrae; Hydrochloric acid; Bone tissue; Bone dissolution; Forensic pathology; Caustics

•Cadavers in acid are difficult forensic situations.•Destruction of human bone in hydrochloric acid (HCl).•HCl 37% is more destructive than HCl 10%.•Cortical bone is more resistant than spongy bone to acid.•Recognizability as human bone tissue may be lost. The destruction of a corpse in caustic acid...