Preparation of Skeletons
Pre-preparation
Although most carcases are obtained already frozen, fresh carcases are weighed and measured before freezing in order to obtain the most accurate data. All standard measurements are taken and recorded on BtB datasheets (either Fish or General) along with age and sex where known. Carcases are then skinned, gutted and roughly defleshed before being bagged up with Tyvek labels marked with indelible ink.
Preparation
These are then simmered for up to 30 minutes (depending on the size of the animal), before being placed in a tank containing a neutral pH enzyme solution with the trade name Neutrase. This dissolves any protein, leaving behind bones, teeth, and unfortunately any fur or feathers not removed during the skinning process.
Final Cleaning
After seven days the bags of bones are removed from the tank, rinsed in boiling water and laid out to dry. Final cleaning now takes place with the removal of any feathers etc and the brushing off of any calcium phosphate deposits (a white powder which is sometimes precipitated out the enzyme solution onto semi-internal or partially hidden surfaces e.g the pneumotricipital fossae on bird humeri). Any remaining scraps of cartilage, tendon roots etc are pared away at this point using a scalpel.
Degreasing
Some bones may need degreasing. This is done, occasionally with acetone but normally with Biotex, a biological pre-wash powder that takes about a quarter of the time that acetone takes. It has the added advantage of dissolving any remaining tissue left behind by the Neutrase. This method can also be used to clean up old processed bones with dried out skin still on them such as bird leg bones. Bones are then bagged up for the clients and notes are made on datasheets of broken bones, healed fractures and other pathological features. At this point biometric measurements of bones can be taken if required.