[Determination of the amino acid spectrum as an aid in the up-dating of skeletal findings].

Estimation of the age of skeletal remains is usually based on subjective evaluation of the morphological grade of decomposition. This assumes, that the investigator is provided with pertinent experience. Experimentally elaborated physical and chemical methods proposed for objectification of the statements did not yet assest until today due to lacking temporal correlation. Our investigations were stimulated by observations on fossil bones indicating that the collagenbound amino acids diminish very slowly dependent on geological age. Samples of 53 skeletons of five to 2500 years were pulverized and subjected to acid hydrolysis. The amino acids released from bone collagen were separated by means of thin-layer chromatography and detected by isatin and ninhydrin reagents. The dye complexes of alanine, hydroxyproline, proline, tyrosine, and valine were measured densitometrically and quantified through calibration curves. We established, that the concentrations of the amino acids exhibited a time dependent reduction as equivalent of a loss collagen. The temporal correlation is very narrow (r less than -- 0,8) and sufficient for datings within plus/minus ten years of the more recent bones. Environmental conditions during post-mortem decay seem to have little influence on this process.