ABSTRACT
The number of case studies for cremated remains available for review by the forensic sciences community is slowly increasing through the presentation of brief reports at conferences (Manhein, 1991; Maples, 1988; Murray et al., 1991) and in publications (Dirkmaat, this volume; Fairgrieve and Molto, 1994; Owsley, 1993). Case studies provide a real world reflection of experimentally derived models of how bone reacts to fire and the fire environment, while also highlighting the need for future research through descriptions of challenges encountered during each case. This chapter adds to the resources of case studies by concentrating on the processes of successful recovery and subsequent analysis, and is intended for professional forensic investigators and students with little or no background in physical anthropology or the analysis of cremated human remains.
