Journal Article

Bridging methodological gaps in forensic science: A study of hydrochloric acid and human dentition

Jones, Christine A., Bracewell, Tammy

2025

Overview

The use of acid to obscure human remains is a tactic frequently associated with criminal activity, yet research on its effects on human dentition remains inconsistent. Dental tissues, among the body's most durable components, play a vital role in forensic identification. However, existing studies on acid dissolution of dentition often lack standardized methods, resulting in findings that are difficult to reproduce or generalize. This study addresses these gaps by examining the effects of hydrochloric acid (HCl) on permanent maxillary molars under controlled conditions, using a replicable methodology that incorporates experimental controls and evaluates the impact of handling techniques such as removal, rinsing, and drying. Five permanent maxillary molar samples were submerged in HCl (37 %) under varied handling conditions. Findings reveal that undisturbed samples dissolved more slowly than those subjected to periodic removal and rinsing, which accelerated dissolution rates by over 100 %. This highlights the significant influence of handling techniques on experimental outcomes. The study also identifies inconsistent reporting and the absence of standardized protocols in prior research as critical barriers to reproducibility. By providing a clear and replicable framework, this study advances understanding of the dissolution process and emphasizes the importance of methodological rigor in forensic science. These findings have broader implications for improving the reliability of forensic evidence and ensuring its applicability in criminal investigations. Addressing these issues is essential for enhancing public trust in forensic methods and strengthening their role in the justice system. •Clear, replicable research is critical to maintaining credibility in forensic applications.•Variability in dentition studies reveals critical gaps in forensic science's methodological rigor.•Introducing controls in forensic research can significantly improve the accuracy of findings.•It found that handling methods, like periodic rinsing, accelerate tooth dissolution compared to undisturbed conditions.•This study explores how hydrochloric acid affects human molars using a controlled, replicable approach.

• Publisher: Elsevier B.V,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Acid Disposal / Acid dissolution / Controlled conditions / Dentition / Dentition, Permanent / Dissolution / Dissolution of Human Dentition / Forensic Dentistry - methods / Forensic odontology / Forensic science / Forensic Science Reform / Forensic Science Replicability / Forensic sciences / Handling / Humans / Hydrochloric acid / Hydrochloric Acid - administration & dosage / Hydrochloric Acid - adverse effects / Hydrochloric Acid - chemistry / Hydrogen chloride / Maxilla / Methodological Rigor / Molar - drug effects / Molars / Morphology / Odontology / Rinsing / Specimen Handling - methods / Teeth