Postmortem tissue alterations induced by corrosive substances – a scoping review

Abstract

Introduction

The method of dissolving a body to conceal crimes, a practice dating back to ancient times, has recently captured the interest of scientists and the film industry. Real-life cases inspired by media portrayals underscore the importance of understanding this process, which aims to prevent identification or locate the body. Historical and contemporary examples highlight the use of substances like caustic potash and various acids. Although scientific studies on this topic are limited, this scoping review explores the use of corrosive substances for concealing crimes by dissolving remains and aims to provide an overview of the current global extension of this phenomenon, addressing a gap in scholarly literature.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The search strategy included PubMed, Google Scholar, gray literature, and general Google searches for cases in international media. Articles were eligible if they discussed the effects of corrosive substances on tissue with the intent to alter or destroy, excluding those focused on living individuals or for non-forensic purposes. Results were categorized into academic and gray literature, further divided by species studied.

Results

A total of 280 results were found in PubMed and 966 in Google Scholar. No reviews were found. Additional searches led to 79 records, with 37 excluded due to duplication or updates. Ultimately, 83 studies were included in the review, documenting key elements such as study purpose, sample details, substances used, and findings. The effects of various corrosive agents were revealed, including alkaline substances such as lime, potassium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide, as well as acids like hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and aqua regia.

Conclusions

Diagnosing tissue alterations caused by corrosive substances requires a multidisciplinary approach and detailed analysis. Final outcomes depend on concentration, exposure time and conditions. Techniques like microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX/EDS), micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) provide critical detailed results. Recreating the crime through experiments may be necessary for investigations, shedding light on the methods employed by perpetrators, reflecting the complexity of these out-of-the-ordinary cases. Further studies are crucial for interpreting these effects.