“Dissolving the Evidence”: A Forensic Experimental Study on Tissue Destruction and Trace Detection

This study presents a multidisciplinary forensic experiment evaluating the destructive effects of household chemical agents on animal bone and soft tissue analogues, with a particular focus on traumatic lesion persistence and trace evidence detection. A total of 59 domestic pig rib fragments, subjected to standardized lesions inflicted with either an axe or a ceramic knife, were immersed in acidic, basic, and oxidizing solutions for over two months. Samples were monitored through macroscopic scoring, serological species identification, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Results showed marked differences in tissue degradation depending on the chemical, with lesion persistence ranging from rapid obliteration to prolonged detectability. Axe-induced wounds generally remained visible longer than ceramic knife injuries, which tended to be erased earlier. XRF analysis revealed differential residue detection, with metallic traces persisting only under certain conditions, while serological testing demonstrated varying levels of protein preservation despite advanced tissue degradation. These findings underscore the forensic relevance of recognizing lesion persistence and chemical-specific degradation patterns, contributing to the assessment of chemical body disposal attempts and to the development of experimental training models for forensic practice.