Forensic taphonomy : the postmortem fate of human remains

Description

Links have recently been established between the study of death assemblages by archaeologists and paleontologists (taphonomy) and the application of physical anthropology concepts to the medicolegal investigation of death (forensic anthropology). This book explains these links in a broad-based, multidisciplinary volume. It applies taphonimic models in modern forensic contexts and uses forensic cases to extend taphonomic theories. Topics include: Method and theory in forensic taphonomy; Archaeological methods and techniques; Chemical aspects of decomposition; Decay and mummification; Degradation of DNA and other organic remains; Degradation of trace evidence; Decomposition rates in terrestrial and marine contexts; Frozen and soft tissue preservation; Gross and microscopic postmortem changes in bone tissue; Fire modification of bone; Taphonomic aspects of bone density; Scavenging by canids, rodents, and marine organisms; Postmortem insect succession and insect artifacts; Autopsied and embalmed human remains in varied contexts; Detection and analysis of deliberate burials; Fluvial transport of human remains. -- from Back Cover Read more... Content: Introduction / William D. Haglund and Marcella H. Sorg -- I. TAPHONOMY IN THE FORENSIC CONTEXT: -- Method and theory of forensic taphonomic research / William D. Haglund and Marcella H. Sorg -- Context delicti : archaeological context in forensic work / Douglas D. Scott and Melissa Connor -- The role of archaeology in the recovery and interpretation of human remains from an outdoor forensic setting / Dennis C. Dirkmaat and James M. Adovasio -- Chain of custody from the field to the courtroom / Jerry Melbye and Susan B. Jimenez -- Taphonomic applications in forensic anthropology / Douglas H. Ubelaker. II. MODIFICATIONS OF SOFT TISSUE, BONE, AND ASSOCIATED MATERIALS: -- Chemical and ultrastructural aspects of decomposition / H. Gill-King -- Preservation and recovery of DNA in postmortem specimens and trace samples / Thomas J. Parsons and Victor Walter Weedn -- The process of decomposition : a model from the Arizona-Sonoran desert / Alison Galloway -- Postmortem changes in soft tissues / Michael A. Clark, Michael B. Worrell, and John E. Pless -- Recognition of cemetery remains in the forensic setting / Hugh E. Berryman ... [et al.] -- Frozen environments and soft tissue preservation / Marc S. Micozzi -- Outdoor decomposition rates in Tennessee / William M. Bass, III -- Microscopic structure of bone / Michael Schultz -- Microscopic investigation of excavated skeletal remains : a contribution to paleopathology and forensic medicine / Michael Schultz -- A critical evaluation of bone weathering as an indication of bone assemblage formation / R. Lee Lyman and Gregory L. Fox -- Eskimo skeleton taphonomy with identification of possible polar bear victims / Charles F. Merbs -- Human variables in the postmortem alteration of human bone : examples from U.S. war casualties / Thomas D. Holland, Bruce E. Anderson, and Robert W. Mann -- Fire modification of bone : a review of the literature / Pamela M. Mayne Correia -- Human bone mineral densities and survival of bone elements : a contemporary sample / Alison Galloway, P. Willey, and Lynn Snyder -- Cranial bone displacement as a taphonomic process in potential child abuse cases / Thomas A.J. Crist ... [et al.] -- Biodegradation of hairs and fibers / Walter F. Rowe -- Forensic botany / David W. Hall. III. SCAVENGED REMAINS: -- Dogs and coyotes : postmortem involvement with human remains / William D. Haglund -- Scattered skeletal human remains : search strategy considerations for locating missing teeth / William D. Haglund -- The utilization of faunal evidence in the recovery of human remains / Turhon A. Murad -- Rodents and human remains / William D. Haglund -- On the body : insects' life stage presence, their postmortem artifacts / Neal H. Haskell ... [et al.] -- Human remains recovered from a shark's stomach in South Carolina / Ted A. Rathbun and Babette C. Rathbun. IV. BURIED AND PROTECTED REMAINS: -- Decomposition of buried and submerged bodies / William C. Rodriguez, III -- Decomposition rates of deliberate burials : a case study of preservation / Mary H. Manhein -- Autopsied, embalmed, and preserved human remains : distinguishing features in forensic and historic contexts / Paul S. Sledzik and Marc S. Micozzi -- NecroSearch revisited : further multidisciplinary approaches to the detection of clandestine graves / Diane L. France ... [et al.] -- Preservation in late 19th century iron coffin burials / Douglas W. Owsley and Bertita E. Compton. V. REMAINS IN WATER: -- Fluvial transport of human crania / Stephen P. Nawrocki ... [et al.] -- The taphonomic effects of flood waters on bone / Sheilagh Brooks and Richard H. Brooks -- Movement of bodies in Lake Ontario / Tyler G. O'Brien -- Forensic taphonomy in marine contexts / Marcella H. Sorg ... [et al.] -- Human aquatic taphonomy in the Monterey Bay area / Shelley Boyle, Alison Galloway, and Richard T. Mason -- Burials at sea / Marilyn R. London, F. John Krolikowski, and Joseph H. Davis. Abstract: Links have recently been established between the study of death assemblages by archaeologists and paleontologists (taphonomy) and the application of physical anthropology concepts to the medicolegal investigation of death (forensic anthropology). This book explains these links in a broad-based, multidisciplinary volume. It applies taphonimic models in modern forensic contexts and uses forensic cases to extend taphonomic theories. Topics include: Method and theory in forensic taphonomy; Archaeological methods and techniques; Chemical aspects of decomposition; Decay and mummification; Degradation of DNA and other organic remains; Degradation of trace evidence; Decomposition rates in terrestrial and marine contexts; Frozen and soft tissue preservation; Gross and microscopic postmortem changes in bone tissue; Fire modification of bone; Taphonomic aspects of bone density; Scavenging by canids, rodents, and marine organisms; Postmortem insect succession and insect artifacts; Autopsied and embalmed human remains in varied contexts; Detection and analysis of deliberate burials; Fluvial transport of human remains. -- from Back Cover