Unraveling the Mummy: The Effects of Natural Mummification on the Degradation of DNA

My research focuses on observing and quantifying the differences in DNA degradation of specimens that have been naturally mummified. Current research in the field of forensic mummification is sparse and little research has been done on quantifying mummified DNA. There are also no reports of experimental archeology being done to replicate natural mummification caused by soda/saline lakes, deserts, extreme cold, and dehydration. My research on natural, forensic mummies is a blend of experimental archeology and postmortem DNA analysis. Using chicken cadavers, I completed nine separate experiments, seven recreations of environments in which natural mummification can occur, and two control experiments where the specimens naturally decomposed. After 10 weeks, each specimen had tissue extracted and ground for DNA quantification. Two of the specimens completely mummified, with four specimens showing signs of partial mummification and three specimens naturally decomposing. DNA quantification, which tells us the concentration and purity of DNA in a sample, will be completed by the time of the conference. The results of my research could make contributions to the fields of forensic identification and forensic anthropology, specifically, cold cases, victim identification in mass disasters and wars, and identifying causes of death and genetic malformations/abnormalities within large gravesites.