Microscopic Examination of Putrefaction Fluid Deposits (PFD) in Archaeological Material. Potential Interest in Forensic Anthropology

Abstract

This article describes the potential interest in forensic anthropology of the microscopic study of putrefaction
fluid deposits (PFD). The methods of sampling and examination appear relatively easy and reproducible. The
studied samples come from archaeological materials (site of Monterenzio Vecchia, an Etrusco-Celtic necropolis
of North Italy dated from 5th to 3rd c. B.C.; remains of Agnes Sorel, official mistress of the French King Charles VII,
died in 1450; skull and sarcophagus of French King Louis XI and his second wife Charlotte of Savoy, both deceased
in 1483).
All the samples were studied with optical microscope (OM) or scanning electronics microscope (SEM). Many
cytological, histological and elementary observations could be made, providing important information on the exact
circumstances of the death of these individuals