A scarcity of experimental studies covering the decomposition of dismembered
body parts has created a gap in knowledge of the effect of dismemberment on the
estimation of post-mortem interval (PMI) and their post-mortem history in a
forensic context. The aim of this study was to record the decay of detached body
parts in some depositional settings where they are likely to be disposed of: burial,
wrapping and freezing.
A series of controlled laboratory experiments was carried out using Sus scrofa
body parts and pork belly, to understand how ambient temperature, soil moisture,
and wrapping and freezing of body parts affected their decomposition. Rates of
decay were subject to a higher temperature and soil moisture level in a burial
microenvironment, with metabolic microbial activity confirming the results.
Temperature was a predominant factor in the decay rates of wrapped body parts,
with a raised ambient temperature causing even higher temperature in the
wrapped microenvironment, resulting in accelerated decay rates. Freezing
decelerated the decomposition of body parts, retarding microbial growth and
activity and causing differential decomposition between body parts. Freezing
demonstrated morphological changes in body parts specific to this
microenvironment. Predominantly Gram-negative bacteria that may be
associated with body microflora were involved in decomposition in all three
microenvironments.
Taphonomic, chemical and microbiological analyses carried out in this study have
a potential for forensic application in the examination of dismembered remains
that have been deposited in freezing and indoor settings. Further experiments are
necessary to understand buried decomposition patterns in field conditions.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/19269 |
| Date | January 2018 |
| Creators | Franicevic, Branka |
| Contributors | Wilson, Andrew S., Fletcher, Jon, Janaway, Robert C. |
| Publisher | University of Bradford, School of Archaeology and Forensic. Faculty of Life Sciences |
| Source Sets | Bradford Scholars |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, doctoral, PhD |
| Rights | <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>. |
Page generated in 0.0022 seconds