Taphonomy of human remains : forensic analysis of the dead and the depositional environment / edited by Eline M. Schotsmans, Dr. Nicholas Marquez-Grant, Shari Forbes.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Schotsmans, Eline M. J., Editor.

Contributor:

Márquez-Grant, Nicholas, 1976- editor.

Schotsmans, Eline M., 1981- editor.

Forbes, Shari, 1977- editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Forensic anthropology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (716 pages) : illustrations, tables

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Wiley 2017

Summary:

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

Contents:

Intro

Title Page

Copyright

Table of Contents

List of Contributors

Notes on Contributors

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Introduction

I.1 Efremov: from Taphonomy to Science Fiction

I.2 The Meaning of Taphonomy

I.3 The Rationale Behind this Volume

I.4 Challenges in Forensic Taphonomy

I.5 Organisation of the Volume

References

Part I: General Post-Mortem Processes: Degradation of Soft Tissue, Bone and Associated Materials

Chapter 1: Gross Post-Mortem Changes in the Human Body

1.1 Introduction

1.2 The Immediate Post-Mortem Period

1.3 Subsequent Weeks

1.4 Other Post-Mortem Modifications

1.5 Skeletonisation

1.6 Conclusion and Future Research

Cited court cases

Chapter 2: Microscopic Post-Mortem Changes: the Chemistry of Decomposition

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Autolysis

2.3 Putrefaction

2.4 Factors Affecting Autolysis and Putrefaction

2.5 Impact of the Decomposition Process on the Surrounding Environment

2.6 Conclusion

Chapter 3: Profiling Volatile Organic Compounds of Decomposition

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Matrices and Sampling Methods

3.3 Results and Discussion

3.4 Conclusion and Future Research

Chapter 4: Blood Degradation and Bloodstain Age Estimation

4.1 Introduction: Forensic relevance of bloodstains

4.2 Blood Degradation

4.3 Mechanical and Morphological Changes

4.4 Optical Methods

4.5 Practical Implementation

4.6 Crime Scene Challenges of Bloodstain Age Estimation

4.7 Conclusion

Chapter 5: DNA Degradation: Current Knowledge and Progress in DNA Analysis

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Mechanisms of DNA Degradation

5.3 Preservation of DNA: Recommendations Concerning Sampling and Storage

5.4 Methodologies to Analyse Degraded DNA

5.5 Future Prospects

5.6 Conclusion.

References

Chapter 6: Taphonomic Alterations to Hair and Nail

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Structure of Hair and Nail

6.3 Changes to Hair and Nail

6.4 Processing and Storage of Hair

6.5 Conclusion

Chapter 7: Taphonomy of Teeth

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Mechanical Damage: Forensic Case Study

7.3 Effects of Thermal Damage

7.4 Thermal Damage: Archaeological Case Study

7.5 Caveats

7.6 Conclusion

Chapter 8: The Taphonomy of Natural Mummies

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Post-Mortem Decay

8.3 Natural or Spontaneous Mummification

8.4 Soft Tissue Changes

8.5 Environment, Culture or Both?

8.6 Dry Environments

8.7 Bog Environments

8.8 Cold Environments

8.9 Anaerobic Environments

8.10 Differential Decomposition

8.11 Post-Depositional Factors and Taphonomic Impact

8.12 Conclusion

Chapter 9: Degradation of Clothing in Depositional Environments

9.1 Introduction

9.2 The Structures and Properties of Clothing Materials

9.3 Decomposition Mechanisms of Clothing Materials in Depositional Environments

9.4 The Influence of Clothing on the Decomposition Processes

9.5 Forensic and Archaeological Studies of Clothing Degradation

9.6 Protocols for Forensic and Archaeological Clothing Collection and Analysis

9.7 Conclusion and Future Research

Chapter 10: Post-Mortem Interval Estimation: an Overview of Techniques

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Why Estimating the PMI is Important

10.3 Scientific Method versus Anecdote in PMI Estimation

10.4 Methods for Estimating PMI

10.5 Case Example

10.6 Conclusion and Future Research

Part II: The Depositional Environment

Chapter 11: Relationships between Human Remains, Graves and the Depositional Environment

11.1 Introduction.

11.2 The Taphonomy of Buried Human Remains

11.3 Factors that Influence Decomposition: Environmental and Intrinsic Variables

11.4 Decomposition Processes: Autolysis, Putrefaction and Decay

11.5 The Forensic Application of Taphonomy

11.6 Conclusion

Chapter 12: Bacterial Symbionts and Taphonomic Agents of Humans

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Bacterial Growth and Metabolism

12.3 Limiting Factors of Bacterial Growth and Function

12.4 Bacteria as Symbiotic Organisms

12.5 Bacteria as Taphonomic Agents

12.6 Putrefaction

12.7 Microbiology in Forensic Medicine

12.8 Conclusion

Chapter 13: Forensic Entomology and Funerary Archaeoentomology

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Insects: Useful Information for Forensic Scientists and Archaeologists

13.3 Forensic Entomology and the Application of Insect Knowledge in Forensic Contexts

13.4 Insects Recovered from Graves or Associated with Human Remains in Archaeological Contexts

13.5 Body Alteration at the Crime Scene as a Result of Insect Activity

13.6 Bone Modifications due to Insect Activity

13.7 Conclusion

Chapter 14: Forensic Botany and Stomach Contents Analysis: Established Practice and Innovation

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Forensic Applications of Botany

14.3 Conclusion

Chapter 15: The Effects of Weathering on Bone Preservation

15.1 Introduction

15.2 A Brief History of Weathering Studies

15.3 Variables that Influence Weathering

15.4 The Value of Bone Weathering Analyses in Forensic Investigations

15.5 Conclusion

Chapter 16: The Effects of Terrestrial Mammalian Scavenging and Avian Scavenging on the Body

16.1 Introduction

16.2 Terrestrial Mammalian Scavengers

16.3 Avian Scavengers.

16.4 Applications to Crime Scene Investigation

16.5 Conclusion and Future Research

Chapter 17: Decomposition in Aquatic Environments

17.1 Introduction

17.2 Decomposition Processes in Aquatic Environments

17.3 Post-Mortem Submersion Interval

17.4 Factors Influencing Aquatic Decomposition Processes

17.5 Case Reports and Studies

17.6 Recovery Protocols

17.7 Conclusion and Future Research

Chapter 18: Post-Mortem Differential Preservation and its Utility in Interpreting Forensic and Archaeological Mass Burials

18.1 Introduction

18.2 Assessment of Taphonomic Change in Forensic and Archaeological Contexts

18.3 The Study of Taphonomy in Forensic and Archaeological Contexts

18.4 Taphonomic Assessment in Mass Burial Deposits

18.5 Taphonomic Processes and Differential Preservation in Mass Burials: Current Research and Application

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

18.7 Case Study 2: Differential Preservation of Human Remains in Forensic Mass Graves and its Use as an Evidentiary Tool

18.8 Conclusion and Future Research

Chapter 19: Reconstructing the Original Arrangement, Organisation and Architecture1 of Burials in Archaeology

19.1 Introduction

19.2 The Reconstruction of Perishable Funerary Architecture and its Arrangement

19.3 Analysis of Several Individuals in the Same Pit

19.4 Conclusion

Part III: Anti-, Peri- and Post-Mortem Modifications to the Body

Chapter 20: Forensic Toxicology of Decomposed Human Remains

20.1 Introduction

20.2 Toxicological Matrices

20.3 Case Study

20.4 Conclusion and Future Research

References.

Chapter 21: Thermal Alteration to the Body

21.1 Introduction

21.2 Soft Tissue Changes

21.3 Hard Tissue Changes

21.4 Conclusion and Future Research

Chapter 22: Concealing the Crime: the Effects of Chemicals on Human Tissues

22.1 Introduction

22.2 Corrosive Substances: Definitions and History

22.3 The Effect of Corrosive Substances on Human Tissues: Case Examples

22.4 Research on Corrosive Agents and Decomposition

22.5 Case Study: The Pandy Case

22.6 Conclusion

Chapter 23: Distinguishing between Peri- and Post-Mortem Trauma on Bone

23.1 Introduction

23.2 Peri- and Post-Mortem Trauma

23.3 Alternative Solutions for Distinguishing Between Peri- and Post-Mortem Trauma on Bone

23.4 Conclusion

Chapter 24: Collection Care and Management of Human Remains

24.1 Introduction

24.2 Collection Origin and Deposition

24.3 Collection Management

24.4 Conclusion

Part IV: Case Studies

Chapter 25: The Use of Volatile Fatty Acid Biomarkers to Estimate the Post-Mortem Interval

25.1 Introduction

25.2 Methods and Collection

25.3 Conclusion

Chapter 26: A Taphonomic Study Based on Observations of 196 Exhumations and 23 Clandestine Burials

26.1 Introduction

26.2 Background on the Exhumations Carried out by the NFI

26.3 Variables

26.4 Cemetery versus Clandestine Burials

26.5 Conclusion

Chapter 27: Case Studies on Taphonomic Variation between Cemetery Burials

27.1 Introduction

27.2 Burial Taphonomy: Examples of Cemetery Burials

27.3 Conclusion

Chapter 28: Forensic Entomology Case Studies from Mexico

28.1 Introduction

28.2 Case Study from Mexico City

28.4 Conclusion

Chapter 29: Recovery of Skeletonised Human Remains and Textile Degradation: a Case Study.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781118953341

1118953347

9781118953334

1118953339

9781118953358

1118953355

OCLC:

956584209