Taphonomy of Human Remains (eBook)

Forensic Analysis of the Dead and the Depositional Environment

Eline M. J. Schotsmans, Nicholas Márquez-Grant, Shari L. Forbes (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: PDF

2017
John Wiley & Sons (Verlag)
978-1-118-95333-4 (ISBN)

Infos

A truly interdisciplinary approach to this core subject within Forensic Science

• Combines essential theory with practical crime scene work
• Includes case studies
• Applicable to all time periods so has relevance for conventional archaeology, prehistory and anthropology
• Combines points of view from both established practitioners and young researchers to ensure relevance

Eline M. J. Schotsmans is a post-doctoral researcher in forensic archaeology and taphonomy at the Laboratory of Anthropology of Past and Present Populations (PACEA) at the University of Bordeaux, France, and an honorary fellow at the University of Bradford, UK. She has worked on various forensic cases and conducts research in taphonomy that lies at the interface between archaeo-anthropology and forensic sciences.

Nicholas Márquez-Grant is a Lecturer in Forensic Anthropology and Course Director MSc in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology at Cranfield University, UK. He is also a Research Associate at the University of Oxford. He has analysed human remains from a number of countries and chronological periods and currently undertakes forensic casework in the UK.

Shari Forbes is a Professor and ARC Future Fellow in the Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Technology Sydney. She is also the Director of the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER), the first facility in Australia that allows scientists to study the decomposition of human cadavers. She is regularly consulted on forensic casework and assists police to search for and locate human remains using police dogs and geophysical equipment.

Inhalt

Cover 1
Title Page 5
Copyright 6
Contents 7
List of Contributors 21
Notes on Contributors 29
Foreword 31
Acknowledgements 33
Introduction 35
I.1 Efremov: from Taphonomy to Science Fiction 35
I.2 The Meaning of Taphonomy 36
I.3 The Rationale Behind this Volume 37
I.4 Challenges in Forensic Taphonomy 38
I.5 Organisation of the Volume 40
References 41
Part I General Post-Mortem Processes: Degradation of Soft Tissue, Bone and Associated Materials 43
Chapter 1 Gross Post-Mortem Changes in the Human Body 45
1.1 Introduction 45
1.2 The Immediate Post-Mortem Period 45
1.3 Subsequent Weeks 50
1.4 Other Post-Mortem Modifications 50
1.5 Skeletonisation 56
1.6 Conclusion and Future Research 56
References 57
Cited court cases 59
Chapter 2 Microscopic Post-Mortem Changes: the Chemistry of Decomposition 60
2.1 Introduction 60
2.2 Autolysis 61
2.3 Putrefaction 61
2.4 Factors Affecting Autolysis and Putrefaction 65
2.5 Impact of the Decomposition Process on the Surrounding Environment 66
2.6 Conclusion 69
References 69
Chapter 3 Profiling Volatile Organic Compounds of Decomposition 73
3.1 Introduction 73
3.2 Matrices and Sampling Methods 74
3.3 Results and Discussion 80
3.4 Conclusion and Future Research 83
References 84
Chapter 4 Blood Degradation and Bloodstain Age Estimation 87
4.1 Introduction: Forensic relevance of bloodstains 87
4.2 Blood Degradation 88
4.3 Mechanical and Morphological Changes 89
4.4 Optical Methods 89
4.5 Practical Implementation 93
4.6 Crime Scene Challenges of Bloodstain Age Estimation 94
4.7 Conclusion 96
References 96
Chapter 5 DNA Degradation: Current Knowledge and Progress in DNA Analysis 99
5.1 Introduction 99
5.2 Mechanisms of DNA Degradation 99
5.3 Preservation of DNA: Recommendations Concerning Sampling and Storage 102
5.4 Methodologies to Analyse Degraded DNA 104
5.5 Future Prospects 108
5.6 Conclusion 109
References 109
Chapter 6 Taphonomic Alterations to Hair and Nail 115
6.1 Introduction 115
6.2 Structure of Hair and Nail 116
6.3 Changes to Hair and Nail 117
6.4 Processing and Storage of Hair 121
6.5 Conclusion 121
Acknowledgements 122
References 122
Chapter 7 Taphonomy of Teeth 126
7.1 Introduction 126
7.2 Mechanical Damage: Forensic Case Study 127
7.3 Effects of Thermal Damage 128
7.4 Thermal Damage: Archaeological Case Study 129
7.5 Caveats 131
7.6 Conclusion 132
References 132
Chapter 8 The Taphonomy of Natural Mummies 135
8.1 Introduction 135
8.2 Post-Mortem Decay 136
8.3 Natural or Spontaneous Mummification 136
8.4 Soft Tissue Changes 137
8.5 Environment, Culture or Both? 138
8.6 Dry Environments 138
8.7 Bog Environments 143
8.8 Cold Environments 144
8.9 Anaerobic Environments 146
8.10 Differential Decomposition 147
8.11 Post-Depositional Factors and Taphonomic Impact 148
8.12 Conclusion 150
References 150
Chapter 9 Degradation of Clothing in Depositional Environments 154
9.1 Introduction 154
9.2 The Structures and Properties of Clothing Materials 154
9.3 Decomposition Mechanisms of Clothing Materials in Depositional Environments 158
9.4 The Influence of Clothing on the Decomposition Processes 161
9.5 Forensic and Archaeological Studies of Clothing Degradation 162
9.6 Protocols for Forensic and Archaeological Clothing Collection and Analysis 164
9.7 Conclusion and Future Research 165
References 165
Chapter 10 Post-Mortem Interval Estimation: an Overview of Techniques 168
10.1 Introduction 168
10.2 Why Estimating the PMI is Important 168
10.3 Scientific Method versus Anecdote in PMI Estimation 169
10.4 Methods for Estimating PMI 171
10.5 Case Example 173
10.6 Conclusion and Future Research 174
References 175
Part II The Depositional Environment 177
Chapter 11 Relationships between Human Remains, Graves and the Depositional Environment 179
11.1 Introduction 179
11.2 The Taphonomy of Buried Human Remains 179
11.3 Factors that Influence Decomposition: Environmental and Intrinsic Variables 180
11.4 Decomposition Processes: Autolysis, Putrefaction and Decay 183
11.5 The Forensic Application of Taphonomy 184
11.6 Conclusion 185
References 186
Chapter 12 Bacterial Symbionts and Taphonomic Agents of Humans 189
12.1 Introduction 189
12.2 Bacterial Growth and Metabolism 190
12.3 Limiting Factors of Bacterial Growth and Function 190
12.4 Bacteria as Symbiotic Organisms 192
12.5 Bacteria as Taphonomic Agents 193
12.6 Putrefaction 193
12.7 Microbiology in Forensic Medicine 195
12.8 Conclusion 197
References 198
Chapter 13 Forensic Entomology and Funerary Archaeoentomology 201
13.1 Introduction 201
13.2 Insects: Useful Information for Forensic Scientists and Archaeologists 202
13.3 Forensic Entomology and the Application of Insect Knowledge in Forensic Contexts 209
13.4 Insects Recovered from Graves or Associated with Human Remains in Archaeological Contexts 210
13.5 Body Alteration at the Crime Scene as a Result of Insect Activity 213
13.6 Bone Modifications due to Insect Activity 215
13.7 Conclusion 215
Acknowledgements 216
References 216
Chapter 14 Forensic Botany and Stomach Contents Analysis: Established Practice and Innovation 221
14.1 Introduction 221
14.2 Forensic Applications of Botany 221
14.3 Conclusion 231
References 232
Chapter 15 The Effects of Weathering on Bone Preservation 235
15.1 Introduction 235
15.2 A Brief History of Weathering Studies 235
15.3 Variables that Influence Weathering 236
15.4 The Value of Bone Weathering Analyses in Forensic Investigations 238
15.5 Conclusion 242
Acknowledgements 242
References 242
Chapter 16 The Effects of Terrestrial Mammalian Scavenging and Avian Scavenging on the Body 246
16.1 Introduction 246
16.2 Terrestrial Mammalian Scavengers 247
16.3 Avian Scavengers 259
16.4 Applications to Crime Scene Investigation 260
16.5 Conclusion and Future Research 261
References 262
Chapter 17 Decomposition in Aquatic Environments 269
17.1 Introduction 269
17.2 Decomposition Processes in Aquatic Environments 270
17.3 Post-Mortem Submersion Interval 273
17.4 Factors Influencing Aquatic Decomposition Processes 274
17.5 Case Reports and Studies 278
17.6 Recovery Protocols 280
17.7 Conclusion and Future Research 281
References 281
Chapter 18 Post-Mortem Differential Preservation and its Utility in Interpreting Forensic and Archaeological Mass Burials 285
18.1 Introduction 285
18.2 Assessment of Taphonomic Change in Forensic and Archaeological Contexts 285
18.3 The Study of Taphonomy in Forensic and Archaeological Contexts 287
18.4 Taphonomic Assessment in Mass Burial Deposits 290
18.5 Taphonomic Processes and Differential Preservation in Mass Burials: Current Research and Application 292
18.6 Case Study 1: Differential Preservation of Human Remains and Artefacts in Archaeological Mass Graves of the Same PMI and its Utility to Establish Differences in Burial Environments over Time 296
18.7 Case Study 2: Differential Preservation of Human Remains in Forensic Mass Graves and its Use as an Evidentiary Tool 298
18.8 Conclusion and Future Research 300
Acknowledgements 301
References 301
Chapter 19 Reconstructing the Original Arrangement, Organisation and Architecture of Burials in Archaeology 311
19.1 Introduction 311
19.2 The Reconstruction of Perishable Funerary Architecture and its Arrangement 312
19.3 Analysis of Several Individuals in the Same Pit 318
19.4 Conclusion 328
Acknowledgements 328
References 329
Part III Anti-, Peri- and Post-Mortem Modifications to the Body 331
Chapter 20 Forensic Toxicology of Decomposed Human Remains 333
20.1 Introduction 333
20.2 Toxicological Matrices 335
20.3 Case Study 341
20.4 Conclusion and Future Research 345
References 345
Chapter 21 Thermal Alteration to the Body 352
21.1 Introduction 352
21.2 Soft Tissue Changes 352
21.3 Hard Tissue Changes 353
21.4 Conclusion and Future Research 362
References 363
Chapter 22 Concealing the Crime: the Effects of Chemicals on Human Tissues 369
22.1 Introduction 369
22.2 Corrosive Substances: Definitions and History 370
22.3 The Effect of Corrosive Substances on Human Tissues: Case Examples 371
22.4 Research on Corrosive Agents and Decomposition 375
22.5 Case Study: The Pandy Case 377
22.6 Conclusion 381
Acknowledgements 381
References 382
Chapter 23 Distinguishing between Peri- and Post-Mortem Trauma on Bone 386
23.1 Introduction 386
23.2 Peri- and Post-Mortem Trauma 386
23.3 Alternative Solutions for Distinguishing Between Peri- and Post-Mortem Trauma on Bone 396
23.4 Conclusion 399
References 399
Chapter 24 Collection Care and Management of Human Remains 403
24.1 Introduction 403
24.2 Collection Origin and Deposition 403
24.3 Collection Management 405
24.4 Conclusion 412
Acknowledgements 413
References 413
Part IV Case Studies 419
Chapter 25 The Use of Volatile Fatty Acid Biomarkers to Estimate the Post-Mortem Interval 421
25.1 Introduction 421
25.2 Methods and Collection 421
25.3 Conclusion 427
References 427
Chapter 26 A Taphonomic Study Based on Observations of 196 Exhumations and 23 Clandestine Burials 428
26.1 Introduction 428
26.2 Background on the Exhumations Carried out by the NFI 428
26.3 Variables 429
26.4 Cemetery versus Clandestine Burials 434
26.5 Conclusion 435
References 435
Chapter 27 Case Studies on Taphonomic Variation between Cemetery Burials 436
27.1 Introduction 436
27.2 Burial Taphonomy: Examples of Cemetery Burials 436
27.3 Conclusion 441
References 442
Chapter 28 Forensic Entomology Case Studies from Mexico 444
28.1 Introduction 444
28.2 Case Study from Mexico City 444
28.3 Case Studies from Hidalgo State 448
28.4 Conclusion 451
References 451
Chapter 29 Recovery of Skeletonised Human Remains and Textile Degradation: a Case Study 454
29.1 Introduction 454
29.2 Outdoor Recovery of Skeletonised Human Remains 454
29.3 Case Study 456
29.4 Conclusion 460
Acknowledgements 462
References 462
Chapter 30 Saponified Brains of the Spanish Civil War 463
30.1 Introduction: the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) 463
30.2 Two Mass Graves 463
30.3 Methods and Materials 465
30.4 Results: Taphonomic Factors and Brain Analysis 465
30.5 Discussion and Conclusion 468
Acknowledgements 470
References 470
Chapter 31 Analysis and Interpretation of Burned Human Remains from a Homicide 472
31.1 Introduction 472
31.2 Background to the Case 472
31.3 Physical Evidence Recovered at the Crime Scene 473
31.4 Additional Experiments 474
31.5 Discussion 476
31.6 Conclusion 477
Acknowledgements 477
References 477
Chapter 32 A Soldier's Story: Forensic Anthropology and Blast Injury 479
32.1 Introduction 479
32.2 Background and Case History 479
32.3 Condition of the Remains and Inventory 480
32.4 Analysis Results 482
32.5 Discussion 483
32.6 Conclusion 485
References 485
Chapter 33 Decomposition in an Unusual Environment: Body Sealed in Concrete 486
33.1 Introduction 486
33.2 Case Report 486
33.3 Discussion and Conclusion 487
Chapter 34 A Case Study from Los Angeles: Baby in Concrete 488
34.1 Introduction 488
34.2 Background to the Case 488
34.3 External Examination 489
34.4 Internal Examination 491
34.5 Discussion 492
34.6 Conclusion 493
References 493
Part V Past, Present and Future Considerations 495
Chapter 35 History and Development of the First Anthropology Research Facility, Knoxville, Tennessee 497
35.1 Introduction 497
35.2 History of the ARF 497
35.3 Daily Operations of the FAC 499
35.4 Research at the ARF 502
35.5 Training Opportunities at the ARF 504
35.6 Conclusion 505
References 506
Chapter 36 Crime Scene Investigation, Archaeology and Taphonomy: Reconstructing Activities at Crime Scenes 510
36.1 Introduction 510
36.2 CSI Fundamentals 512
36.3 The Archaeological Paradigm 514
36.4 Assessing Archaeological Assemblages and Site Formation Processes 517
36.5 The CSI Practice, an Archaeological and Criminalistic Perspective 518
36.6 Conclusion 524
Acknowledgements 525
References 525
Index 529
EULA 544

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 23.1.2017
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Studium ► 2. Studienabschnitt (Klinik) ► Rechtsmedizin
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Chemie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Mineralogie / Paläontologie
• Themenwelt: Recht / Steuern ► Strafrecht ► Kriminologie
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Soziologie ► Mikrosoziologie
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Schlagworte: Analytische Chemie / Forensik • Anthropologie • Anthropology • archaeology • Biowissenschaften • Chemie • Chemistry • Decay • Decomposition • depositional environment • Forensic • Forensics • Forensic Science • Forensik • Human remains • Life Sciences • mummification • Preservation • taphonomy
• ISBN-10: 1-118-95333-9 / 1118953339
• ISBN-13: 978-1-118-95333-4 / 9781118953334